Blackburn, Capito introduce bipartisan bill to continue breast screenings

U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure women in their 40s have access to breast cancer screenings.

“By making these screenings available during an age in which this disease can be most aggressive, it is possible to save the lives of so many sisters, daughters, mothers and even grandmothers,” Sen. Blackburn said.

Sen. Blackburn on June 20 sponsored the Protecting Access to Lifesaving Screenings (PALS) Act of 2019, S. 1936, with 12 cosponsors including original cosponsors Sen. Capito and U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).

“Until we have a cure for breast cancer, it’s essential that all women who choose to be screened have access to these services,” Sen. Capito said. ‘I’m proud to sponsor this bill with my colleagues and to continue raising awareness and saving lives.”

If enacted, S. 1936 would continue a moratorium on recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) that would limit access to breast screening mammography for these women.

“Breast cancer is far too common a disease,” said Sen. Blackburn. “One woman out of eight will develop some form of breast cancer during her life, so most of us know firsthand how devastating it can be for our families and friends.”

Among the many organizations supporting the measure are the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Women’s Health Imperative, the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health, and Susan G. Komen.

A companion bill, the same-named H.R. 2777, was introduced in May by U.S. Reps. Susan Brooks (R-IN) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL).