The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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April 11, 2010

Your View: New law will benefit Americans with cancer

Sharon Erpestad, Windom

— As an active volunteer and advocate for cancer patients, I want to thank Rep. Tim Walz for his vote for meaningful health care reform.

Several provisions in the new law will make far-reaching improvements to the nation's health care system that will benefit millions of Americans, especially those with cancer. It will improve access to health care by ensuring the adequate and affordable insurance coverage to millions of Americans. It will eliminate discrimination based on pre-existing condidtions and abolish arbitrary limits on annual and lifetime benefits that have been so detrimental to cancer patients over the years.

The law will also help to focus the health care system on the prevention and early detection of cancer by requiring virtually all insurance plans to provide coverage for cancer screening services with little or no cost to patients. The status quo was a costly proposition for cancer patients and their families who have been forced to delay or forego lifesavings screenings and/or treatments because the cost of care was out of reach.

Walz put patients first. We will be seeing improvements before the end of 2010. We should all be proud of Walz.

 

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