Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) yesterday introduced the Mammography Availability Act, H.R. 4540, which would require insurance companies that cover diagnostic mammograms to cover also an annual screening mammogram for women 40 and older.

Although annual screening mammograms, used to detect a tumor that cannot be felt, are already covered under Medicare and Medicaid, many private insurers currently cover only diagnostic mammograms, the type of mammography used to confirm the presence of a tumor only after it has been detected.

“Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women in the United States, and the leading cause of death for women between the ages of 40 and 49,” Congressman Nadler said. “That private insurers do not cover screening mammograms for women in their forties is unconscionable.  This bill would ensure that cost is never a factor in deciding whether to get a mammogram.”

The Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) both recommend that women 40 and older should have a mammogram at least once every one or two years.  Earlier this year, a study by NCI affirmed that mammograms contributed to a pronounced drop in the number of breast cancer deaths, effectively putting to rest the debate about the efficacy of mammography.  Experts also agree that the decision whether to have a mammogram should be made by a doctor and his or her patient depending on her personal preferences, family history, and risk factors – not on the basis of cost.

Tragically, In 2005 alone, 40,000 women in the U.S. will die from breast cancer, and more than 211,000 new cases of the disease will be discovered.  While breast cancer is often treatable, early detection is critical to preventing the rapid spread of this deadly disease and beginning effective treatment.