Ensure Breast Cancer Treatment Coverage for Men - ForceChange

Health, Petitions ? By Melanie Zumm on March 15, 2012 4:00 pm

Target: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Goal: Extend Medicaid coverage to men with breast cancer.

Although breast cancer overwhelmingly affects females, a small number of individuals diagnosed with breast cancer are men. This year alone, an estimated 2,100 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and 450 will die from it. Medical studies are even showing that these numbers are on the rise.

However, many men are denied Medicaid coverage for breast cancer treatment simply because they are not female. The Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention Treatment Act of 2000 provides treatment coverage for patients who are diagnosed through federally funded screening programs. But since the treatment programs are limited to women, this leaves many uninsured men with no way to afford treatment, even if they meet all other qualifications. Since breast cancer is less common in men, Medicaid won?t even cover screening costs to detect cancer at an early stage. This runs the risk of men discovering the cancer at a more advanced stage in which treatment is more difficult.

Breast cancer treatment can cost anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000. Paying these medical bills without insurance or other aid can drive individuals and their families into inescapable debt.

It is unfair to discriminate against males because breast cancer is not as prevalent among them. Every individual should be able to afford life-saving treatments for cancer, regardless of sex, gender, or income. The United States needs to find a solution to these gaps in coverage and ensure that everyone has equal access to health care. Tell the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to extend breast cancer treatment coverage to men as well.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services,

It is unfair and unconstitutional to deny breast cancer treatment coverage to men. Each year, about 2,100 men are diagnosed with breast cancer and 450 die from it?and these numbers are only rising. Many of these men will struggle to pay their medical bills and without Medicaid, payment could become an impossible task.

Cancer treatment is extremely costly, and no one should be forced into debt because of discrimination. All breast cancer patients should receive necessary coverage, regardless of anatomy. Breast cancer may predominantly affect women, but it does not solely affect women. Please ensure equal access to health care for everyone and extend treatment coverage to men.

Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]

Source: http://forcechange.com/16604/ensure-breast-cancer-treatment-coverage-for-men/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ensure-breast-cancer-treatment-coverage-for-men

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