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RESOLUTION URGING CONGRESS TO PASS THE BREAST CANCER PATIENT PROTECTION ACT, SB 459, HR 119, HR 758 OR SIMILAR LEGISLATION, THAT WOULD REQUIRE INSURANCE COMPANIES TO COVER A MINIMUM 48-HOUR HOSPITAL STAY FOR PATIENTS UNDERGOING A MASTECTOMY AND OTHER PROCEDURES

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WHEREAS, breast cancer is the second leading cause of death for women in America; and
WHEREAS, women in the U.S. today have a 1 in 7 chance of developing breast cancer in their lifetime; and
WHEREAS, every year, more than 216,000 women will receive a life-altering breast cancer diagnosis; and
WHEREAS, the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act (�the Act�) would end the practice of �drive-through� mastectomies, where women are sometimes forced to leave the hospital just hours after their physically and emotionally difficult surgeries even if they and their doctors feel they are not ready to go home; and
WHEREAS, the Act would require that health plans provide coverage for a minimum hospital stay for mastectomies, lumpectomies, and lymph node dissection for the treatment of breast cancer and coverage for secondary consultations; and
WHEREAS, the Act would ensure a minimum hospital stay of 48 hours to any woman who requires it following such procedures; and
WHEREAS, the Act does not mandate a 48 hour hospital stay nor does it set 48 hours as a maximum amount of time a woman can stay in the hospital; and
WHEREAS, the Act does ensure that any decision in favor of a shorter or longer hospital stay will be made by the patient and her doctor; and
WHEREAS, U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT), filed the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act, which enjoys bipartisan support; and
WHEREAS, the Act is supported by the American College of Surgeons; American Medical Association; Association of Women�s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses; Families USA; Oncology Nursing Society; Society for Women�s Health Research; The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:
Section 1. Urges the United States Congress to enact the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act, SB 459, HR 119, HR 758 or similar legislation that would require insurance companies to cover a minimum of 48-hour hospital stay for patients undergoing a mastectomy if the doctor and patient believe it to be appropriate.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the two U.S. Senators that represent Florida and the members of the Miami-Dade County Congressional Delegation.
Section 3. Directs the County�s federal lobbyists to advocate for the passage of the legislation set forth in Section 1 above, and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to include this item in the 2008 Federal Legislative Package.