[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 17] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 23486-23487] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]BREAST CANCER PATIENT PROTECTION ACT ______ HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS of new jersey in the house of representatives Monday, September 29, 2008 Mr. ANDREWS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro' s ``Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2008,'' H.R. 758. On September 25, 2008, I voted in favor of H.R. 758, which passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 421-2. The Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act will 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. The numerous petitions and personal stories issued by Americans prove the need for enactment of Federal legislation to guarantee minimum and adequate benefits for patients with breast cancer. H.R. 758 will prevent hospitals from rushing women out of their facilities after undergoing a mastectomy the same day. I would like to take this opportunity to make my vote in honor of the late Paula Renfroe, who died 6 years ago due to breast cancer. Like many women in the United States, Paula was rushed out of the hospital a few hours after undergoing a mastectomy. Paula and her family were sent home with a few instructions to follow to change her wound and administer the strong medications provided to her. The Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act will prevent hospitals from forcing families to complete the medical healing process of a loved one to cut costs and instead, allow family members to provide the emotional support to their loved ones so desperately needed during such times. [[Page 23487]] ____________________