THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY FARNESE, BOSCOLA, STOUT, FONTANA, O'PAKE, FERLO, MELLOW, TARTAGLIONE, ERICKSON, LEACH, BROWNE, WASHINGTON, STACK, COSTA, LOGAN, KITCHEN, BAKER, WARD AND HUGHES, FEBRUARY 1, 2010

SENATOR VANCE, PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE, AS AMENDED, JUNE 22, 2010   

A RESOLUTION

Memorializing the President of the United States and members of

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the Congress of the United States to maintain funding for

mammograms for women beginning at 40 years of age.

Urging the United States Preventive Services Task Force to

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reexamine its recommendations on mammograms for women

beginning at 40 years of age.

WHEREAS, Congress is currently discussing health care reform;

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and

WHEREAS, Part of the discussion is about determining what

services will be covered and which will not be covered; and

WHEREAS, A recent study by the United States Preventative 

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Preventive Services Task Force states in its recommendations

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that women in their 40s do not need a mammogram and that self-

examinations hold no value; and

WHEREAS, This information is troubling, given that nearly all

breast cancers can be treated successfully if found early; and

WHEREAS, When breast cancer is found at the earliest stage,

the five-year survival rate is 98%; and

WHEREAS, Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in

Pennsylvania for women between 25 and 54 years of age; and

WHEREAS, The purpose of making changes to the structure and

system of health care in the United States is to provide the

necessary resources to patients, not to take away care and

services; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the members of the Senate of Pennsylvania

encourage our elected officials in Washington, D.C., to keep the

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funding of mammograms intact as the health care debate moves

forward; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to

the President of the United States and the Pennsylvania

Congressional Delegation. strongly urge the United States

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Preventive Services Task Force to reexamine its recommendations

for mammograms for women to take into account the importance in

maintaining a health care policy of prevention which provides

for mammograms for women beginning at 40 years of age; and be it

further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to

the United States Preventive Services Task Force.