Castor sponsors breast cancer bill listen

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U.S. Representative Kathy Castor filed new legislation today called the Eliminating Disparities in Breast Cancer Treatment Act of 2008. This morning at Kate Jackson Park in South Tampa, Castor said the bill will help to eliminate inequities based on race, education, income and health insurance status.

Castor, a Democrat from Tampa, said that because of its diversity, the Tampa Bay region should be especially concerned about breast cancer. She said her bill contains provisions that will encourage healthcare providers to screen low-income patients for breast cancer.

Tampa City Council Chair Gwen Miller discovered that she had breast cancer in 2003 because her insurance covered mammograms, but she said a lot of African-Americans don’t have insurance.

Castor said people should be able to buy into programs like Medicare. She added that the current healthcare system leads to profiteering.

Photo credit: Seán Kinane / WMNF

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Eliminating Disparities in Breast Cancer Treatment Act of 2008

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