A Humanitarian Effort by the Oregon Senate is Recognized

“Good job, ladies and gentlemen of the Oregon Senate”... and that is not just my opinion!

Oregon capitol photo by Tim King Salem-News.com

(HARRISVILLE, N.H.) - According to an article titled “Lawmakers close breast cancer surgery loophole”, written by Saul Hubbard, and published by “The Register-Guard” of Eugene, Oregon at Midnight, last night (May, 23, 2011), “The Oregon Senate has voted unanimously to close a legal loophole that some health insurance companies exploited to refuse, in some instances, to cover breast reconstructive surgeries for women with breast cancer.

Rep. Val Hoyle, D-Eugene, became the issue’s main champion in the Capitol after the issue was brought to the forefront by Dr. Dann Leonard, a Salem plastic surgeon.

According to Rep. Hoyle, “Most Oregonians will have (breast cancer) touch their lives in some way. Each week in Oregon, 51 women are diagnosed with breast cancer, and nine will die from the disease. This bill ensures that women will get the care they need.”

While reconstructive surgery has been covered for some time now for full mastectomies, claims to cover reconstructive work after lumpectomies — or partial breast removals — and other similar procedures, were occasionally turned down by insurance companies.

According to the article, “The issue quickly became a “no-brainer” for legislators, Hoyle said, and health insurance companies did not oppose the bill. The Oregon House unanimously approved the bill in late April before the Senate’s action last week, and the governor is expected to sign the bill into law this week.”

A woman battling Breast Cancer has more on her plate than is obvious at first glance. Let me list a just few of the items on that plate for you: (1) Survival . . . Breast Cancer is a killer of far too many women in the world and it is now estimated that one woman in eight will suffer from breast cancer in her life, (2) The negative effects of treatment . . . hair loss, nausea, and weakness are but a few of these effects, (3) loss of self-esteem . . . regardless of how many view the surgery and post-surgery treatment of Breast Cancer, right or wrong, women tend to either consciously or sub-consciously tie their breasts and their hair into their femininity, (4) expense . . . the surgery and post-surgery treatment of Breast Cancer is extremely expensive. It is not unusual to encounter tens of thousands of dollars in expenses not covered by insurance, even if the woman in question has insurance.

Reconstructive surgery is a ray hope to many women. Hope that their life may one day achieve some semblance of normalcy . . . hope that they can one day look into the mirror after a shower and see the woman they have always known as themselves, staring back at them . . . hope that the physical reminder of what they have been through can someday disappear.

In voting to close this loophole, the Oregon Senate has completed a humanitarian act. They have extended a helping hand to those fighting an up-hill battle. They have enlarged the window of hope to those who need it so badly. Let us hope that the Governor shows the same humanitarian qualities exhibited by the Senate and signs this bill into law for the women of Oregon.

“Good job, ladies and gentlemen of the Oregon Senate”... and that is not just my opinion!