Rep. Chrissy Sommer's Weekly Capitol Connection September 30, 2016

Click here to read entire Capitol Connections ENewsletter

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

You may have noticed a huge amount of “pink” around lately: in newspaper ads, on cereal boxes and other food items, doctor’s offices, even NFL teams are sporting the color in varying degrees. All this pink is for a very good reason -- PINK is the color for Breast Cancer Awareness and October is designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

It is a very good time to focus on this very serious disease, why it occurs and how to stop it. During this time, national public service organizations, professional medical associations and government agencies work to promote breast cancer awareness, share information on the disease and provide greater access to screening services.

Several measures pertaining to breast cancer in our state have been enacted into law by making improvements to the limits on deductibles, lifetime maximum benefits, and the administration of these benefits. House Bill 1093, passed in 2002, allows Missourians to apply for a special breast cancer awareness license plate. Proceeds from these special plates go toward screening, treatment, and follow-up services. In 2008, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 1105, which created a check-off box on the Missouri individual and corporate income tax forms for contributions to the breast cancer awareness trust fund, encouraging monetary donations for breast cancer services.

Changes in policy can’t be the only thing responsible for this decrease, but I believe that the efforts made over the last decade have had a positive influence for Missouri citizens and on the future of medicine.

I can say to you, wholeheartedly, that, as technology and science continue to make advances in the realm of breast cancer research, the Missouri General Assembly will continue to work to promote awareness, treatment, and overall health.

Click here to read entire Capitol Connections ENewsletter