The Republican War Against Mammograms--WE WON!- Page 3

[Rose_MacShane]

Posted: 5/5/06 at 2:12pm

I sent him the form letter too. Why not, right?

[cudramacat]

Posted: 5/5/06 at 2:23pm

Just for the record I sent the form e-mail to both the senators from my state last night. I really hope that this bill does not go through.....it is absolutely ridiculous!

[kelzama]

Posted: 5/5/06 at 3:43pm

PalJoey:

Thanks for the link, but it my dinosaur of a computer won't read the file. Thanks, anyhow. I'll have to read the thing before commenting.

[kelzama]

Posted: 5/5/06 at 8:57pm

OK, just skimmed the bill, and did a search for "coverage," "diabetes," "pap," and some other terms. I can't find anywhere it specifically says the elimination of coverage or of these tests.

What I understood the bill to propose was greater opportunities for small businesses to offer affordable health care.

Perhaps it's hidden in lawyerese that I don't understand. Anyone?

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/5/06 at 9:06pm

Why don't you read it instead of skimming it and get back to us then?

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/11/06 at 10:22pm

Congratulations to all those who wrote letters--and to women and other patients all over America!

===

Dear [PalJoey],

We did it!

Moments ago, the U.S. Senate failed to pass S. 1955.

The vote was close and the debate was fierce. But, at the end of the day, tens of thousands of cancer advocates around the nation stood up and let their Senators know this bill would be harmful to our fight against cancer.

We stopped the U.S. Senate from eliminating guaranteed insurance coverage for mammograms and other life-saving benefits for cancer screening and care!

The vote that just took place was on a process called cloture. Before Senators can have a final vote on a bill, they must pass a motion that cuts off debate and discussion on the bill. That “cloture motion” requires 60 votes. Your actions led to more than 40 Senators opposing cloture, preventing the bill from proceeding.

Visit our vote chart to find out how your Senators voted.

These past two weeks have been a remarkable time for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). You and your fellow cancer activists around the nation have produced an unprecedented level of grassroots activity and have left an unforgettable mark on Capitol Hill.

In just two weeks, ACS CAN volunteers have:

• Sent 167.000 emails
• Made 8,600 phone calls
• Held nearly two dozen media events and rallies

Together, we have once again made cancer issues a priority in Congress. Your U.S. Senators heard from you loud and clear and we can’t thank you enough for your efforts.

This incredible victory gives us great momentum as we fight for our other priority cancer issues. These issues include more funding for cancer research and re-authorizing the federal program that provides mammograms to those cannot afford them. We look forward to working with you on these issues later this year and into the future. Please visit www.acscan.org on a regular basis to stay updated on these issues and more.

Thank you so much for your actions over the past two weeks and for your passion toward this and many of our other cancer issues.

Without you, we could not have won today’s vote. Without you, cancer issues would not have catapulted back to the front burner on Capitol Hill. Without you, we would have taken a turn in the wrong direction in our fight to defeat this terrible disease.

But, with your continued support of ACS CAN and cancer issues, we can and will make cancer issues a national priority at the federal, state and local level. Please continue to be a part of all of these efforts – we wouldn’t have won without you, and there are more fights to win ahead!

Sincerely,
Daniel E. Smith
National Vice President, Federal & State Government Relations
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

[Jane2]

Posted: 5/11/06 at 10:24pm

YAY!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/11/06 at 10:50pm

Here's the link to which senators voted how.

Did Your Senators Vote to Save Mammograms?

Updated On: 5/11/06 at 10:50 PM

[Rose_MacShane]

Posted: 5/11/06 at 10:57pm

This is great! Break out the champagne!

[staticradar]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 9:00am

YAY glad it didn't pass, but my senators still voted for it, so all my work did no good, but then again I didn't expect it would. I really hate how red my state is. I need to move.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 10:15am

Don't feel like that, static. It's just as--or more--important that senators like yours hear from you, so they don't think they have the unanimous supprt of their constituents.

Every vote counts, and every time you contact your legislators, it's registered.

This victory is YOURS as well.

[blueroses]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 10:20am

Thank God!

What a great Mother's Day present for American women.

[mominator]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 10:29am

Wow, just wow. Just how can any woman Senator vote against this. Ms. Snowe of ME and Ms. Landrieu of LA I ask you?

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 10:39am

Oh, Mominator, precious few Democrats in Louisiana are anything BUT a Republican leopard wearing a buffalo hide.

[mominator]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 1:17pm

If I already did not have a headache I am sure this would have triggered one!