Register Today for NBCC's Annual Advocacy Conference

Register today for National Breast Cancer Coalition's Annual Advocacy Conference
April 30 - May 3, 2011
Washington DC

http://takeaction.stopbreastcancer.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Conf2011schedule

What's New In 2011 Health Care Reform?

NOBCCF and its network
 worked very hard during 2009 and 2010 to help Congress enact a quality health care reform bill.  As always, we're grateful to our members who helped make the PPACA a reality!

Here are some changes that will take place effective Jan. 1, 2011:

1. Discount of 50% on brand name prescriptions for Medicare Part D patients in the "donut hole" coverage gap. There's also a 7% discount on generic prescriptions.

2. Changes in flexible spending & health reimbursement accounts - The cost of over-the-counter medications will now be reimbursed if you have this type of insurance plan.

3. Free preventive care for patients enrolled in traditional Medicare plans - this includes flu shots and pneumonia vaccines as well as screenings for diabetes, colorectal cancer, high blood pressure, depression, obesity and HIV.  In addition, women will receive free screening for breast cancer, cervical cancer and bone mass density.  Men will receive free cholesterol screening.  Nutritional counseling will also be provided for help with diabetes.


4. Your child becomes eligible to stay on your insurance plan until age 26.  They can remain on your plan whether or not they are in school, married, living with you or eligible under an employer plan.  


5. Annual limits on health insurance coverage will increase. The minimum amount of health care costs that your health insurance plan must cover for you will increase to $750,000. Its an importtant benefit when you experience a catastrophic accident or illness. 


6. Bonus of 10% to Medicare physicians who provide primary care - an incentive for doctors to provide primary care to Medicare patients.


More information here and here.

Sen. Sherrod Brown to Speak About Health Care Jan 2

Senator Sherrod Brown will speak at a  Press Conference on the new benefits for Seniors included as provisions in the Affordable Health Care Act.

Senator Sherrod Brown

Sunday, January 2, 2011

3:00 P.M.

MetroHealth Senior Health and Wellness Center

(formerly Deaconness Hospital)

4229 Pearl Road

Cleveland, OH 44109

Any senior who will be directly impacted by the availability of preventative screening should come prepared to tell their story.

Advocate reports from SABCS 2010: Day 1: National Breast Cancer Coalition

The latest news in breast cancer research. Read Laura Nikolaides daily summaries from the 2010 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

Advocate reports from SABCS 2010: Day 1: National Breast Cancer Coalition

Advocate reports from SABCS 2010: Day 2: National Breast Cancer Coalition

Advocate reports from SABCS 2010: Day 3: National Breast Cancer Coalition

State Pre-Existing Insurance Plans Improving

The Dept. of Health & Human Services announced improvements today in the new Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan program.  This program, part of the sweeping health care reform law enacted this year, provides states with funds to establish low cost insurance pools for people who can't get affordable insurance due to pre-existing health conditions.  This program provides relief for breast cancer survivors who can't get insurance because of a previous or current diagnosis.

To improve the plan and make it more affordable for consumers, the Obama Administration has directed a 20% cut in these insurance premiums, plus improved plans that lower out of pocket costs.


The latest news can be found at the link below:



http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gxCu-nAxso23YZIbMamKWmvjYfbw?docId=cb1a524677ab4db5947926ca10b271d7

More information about this plan is available here:

http://www.healthcare.gov/law/provisions/preexisting/states/oh.html

Hormone replacement therapy increased deaths in WHI study: National Breast Cancer Coalition

New data from the Women's Health Initiative Study on post-menopausal hormone replacement therapy shows HRT not only increases breast cancer incidence in post-menopausal women, it also increases the rate of aggressive forms of breast cancer as well as increased deaths. It's more evidence that women should avoid hormone replacement therapy to treat symptoms of menopause. Read more at the link below.

Hormone replacement therapy increased deaths in WHI study: National Breast Cancer Coalition

Iniparib Extends Overall Survival In Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Final results of a randomized Phase II trial have been announced for the new parp-inhibitor drug Iniparib.  Results are somewhat encouraging.  The trial enrolled triple-negative breast cancer patients with metastatic disease, assigning them to receive iniparib plus chemotherapy (gemcitabine/carboplatin) or chemotherapy alone.

Triple-negative breast cancer is a type of cancer with tumors that aren't receptive to estrogen and progesterone and test negative for the Her 2 oncogene.  Patients with triple-negative breast cancer usually have a poorer prognosis and shorter survival. About 15% of all breast cancer cases are triple negative.

Of the patients who received  Iniparib + chemo, 55.7% experienced complete or partial response over 6 months compared to 33.9% of patients who received chemo alone. 

The results are encouraging, offering the possibility of a new treatment for metastatic triple negative breast cancer patients.  Treatment options for this group of women is currently limited. 

Read more