Coalition looks to gather support for bill to help cancer patients

Friday, Jan. 2, 2009

Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photo by NANCY BROMLEY McCONATY Breast cancer survivors Susan Winborne, left, and Roberta Kieliger, attend a gathering held by the American Cancer Society and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society on Dec. 17 at Middleton Hall in Waldorf to support legislation that would help low-income, uninsured Maryland residents receive cancer treatment. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story   Support life-saving legislation A coalition of health care advocates across Maryland is submitting House Bill 460 to the Maryland General Assembly in Annapolis in January that would provide life-saving cancer treatment for uninsured and underinsured residents whose household incomes are 300 percent of the federal poverty level, $31,200 a year or less for an individual, and $63,600 or less for a family of four. The coalition, comprised of the American Cancer Society, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Maryland Komen for the Cure and Maryland Citizens Health Initiative, is asking residents to throw their support behind the proposed bill by contacting their legislators in Annapolis at 301-970-5400 or 410-946-5400, or go to www.acscan.org/maryland.

A coalition of health care advocates is proposing legislation to the 2009 Maryland General Assembly that would assist uninsured residents in obtaining cancer treatment during the first year of diagnosis, but a grim state budget forecast is probably going to kill the bill before it can even be seriously considered, according to local legislators.

The Coalition for a Maryland Cancer Treatment Program comprised of the American Cancer Society, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Maryland Komen for the Cure and Maryland Citizens Health Initiative is submitting House Bill 460 that would provide funding to uninsured and underinsured residents whose incomes are 300 percent of the federal poverty level, $31,200 a year or less for an individual, and $63,600 or less for a family of four, for cancer treatment during the first year of diagnosis. The bill was introduced and shot down during the 2007 and 2008 sessions, said Bonita Pennino, ACS director of government relations for the South Atlantic Division.

Representatives and volunteers of the ACS gathered Dec. 17 at Middleton Hall in Waldorf to introduce their cause and the reasons why it is imperative that low-income residents are provided help in receiving life-saving cancer treatment.

"The bill has been stalled for two years," Pennino said. "The American Cancer Society knows the importance of the legislation for low-income residents, what we often refer to as the working poor. They can't afford cancer screening, much less treatment. As hard as these economic times are, more and more families will be impacted and will need medical care for cancer."

Pennino said that 1.5 million Maryland residents lack access to affordable medical care. Maryland ranks ninth per capita in the nation for diagnosed cancer cases, she said, adding that 24,000 residents are diagnosed with cancer each year in the state and an estimated 2,496 patients would be eligible for care under the proposed cancer treatment program.

But, as dire as the situation is, local state legislators said that there is little chance that the bill will pass during the 2009 General Assembly because of a projected $2 billion shortfall in the state's 2010 budget.

"It's a good bill; it's very meritorious," said Sen. Thomas "Mac" Middleton (D-Charles), a strong proponent of any program that would ensure that everyone can afford cancer screening and treatment. "But, we have a big problem this year with the state's fiscal situation. It's going to be very, very difficult to deal with any new programs. I keep telling groups who have worthy programs to keep building support for them. The economy is going to turn around one of these days, but there's nothing that we can do right now because of the fiscal dilemma the state is facing this year."

Del. Murray D. Levy (D-Charles) echoed Middleton's sentiments.

"Clearly cancer is a major problem and people need medical coverage, but we just don't know how the state is going to be able to pick up any additional programs in fiscal 2010. In fact, the state might have to cut programs. It's just impossible right now."

Pennino said the coalition is going to forge ahead with the introduction of the bill because literally thousands of lives are at stake.

"I will remain hopeful," she said. "I know that we're in a tough economic climate, but we're asking members of the General Assembly to pass this legislation. We may get laughed out of committee, but this is a good solid policy. It's about saving lives."

La Plata resident Roberta Kieliger is a 13-year breast cancer survivor. The 73-year-old, who is an ACS volunteer and coordinator of the local Sisters at Heart breast cancer survivor support group, attended the coalition's gathering Dec. 17 to lend support to the bill.

"If a person doesn't have health insurance where do they go for help?" she said. "I've heard so many horror stories. It's unreal."

Omar Akchurin, chairman of the ACS's 2009 Charles County Relay for Life event, said that cancer has touched his life in very personal ways.

"It's too much for me to see people who aren't being taken care of because they can't afford treatment," he said. "Cancer is a very hurting death. I've seen it. Several of my uncles died from it. If we, as a society, can't take care of our own citizens, what are we doing?

"To me, it's pretty simple," he said. "There's a cost to this program, but the greater cost will come from not providing people coverage."

Cancer is a very costly disease, Pennino said, adding that the average cost of treating cancer for the first year following diagnosis is estimated at $19,691.

The proposed cancer treatment program would carry a $38 million price tag, Pennino said.

Pomfret resident Susan Winborne just learned last week that her Stage 4 breast cancer is in remission. The 44-year-old mother of two said she had to attend the ACS gathering last week to show support for an organization that has helped her fight her own battle with what looked to be at the onset a fatal diagnosis.

"I'm here because I have sisters, nieces, friends and a mother who might need care," she said. "There has to be something out there to help people who can't afford treatment. I was very fortunate and blessed to not have to worry about the cost of this awful disease. I just hope that there is a financial program that people can turn to if they have to go through this."

"… Every single Marylander should have full access to health care. It would be a misstep if the Maryland General Assembly does not pass the Maryland Cancer Treatment Program this year," said Matthew Celentano of the Maryland Citizen's Health Initiative in a written statement.

"The establishment of the program will enable many hard working, low-income Maryland families touched by blood cancer with insurance coverage to receive treatment from their life-threatening illness," said Tracy Orwig in a written statement. "It is critical that we pass this legislation. It will save lives."

Akchurin said that state legislators can't afford not to pass the bill that would establish the program.

"It's really imperative that we get this bill passed," he said. "The cost of doing nothing is simply too great."

NMcCONATY@somdnews.com