We are Not Sleeping: Protect Women’s Health and Access to DIEP Flap

The publish date of this blog is July 22, 2023. If you look at the 2023 Congressional Calendar, you will find a “white out” section in the month of August. The United States Senate and House will both be on summer recess. I wish to inform all of Congress that we are not sleeping and continue our work to protect women’s health and access to DIEP flap.

When faced with breast cancer and loss of breasts, there are several decisions to make. One of the most important decisions is whether to reconstruct your breasts or remain flat. Either way, it is a women’s choice and right to do so after the effects of a breast cancer diagnosis. DIEP flap is the most advanced, and in fact the best medical choice for reconstruction for many women. It is in danger of not being available to many and we are concerned.

Our Voices Were Heard at the CMS Hearing

On June 1, 2023, CMS had a hearing and many of us were able to speak and voice our concerns. We spoke on behalf of women who are fearful this right to reconstruct, this choice, DIEP flap, may not be covered by insurance unless CMS determines that coverage for this type of breast reconstruction continue to be covered by insurance.

CMS heard from surgeons in private practice who make this access more readily available across the United States. These are the surgeons who will be most affected by a decision to eliminate full coverage, not their colleagues at academic centers who are paid salary. Unlike salaried microsurgeons at academic centers, private practice microsurgeons must pay facility charges, nurses, staff, medical insurance for all these employees, medical equipment, and the list goes on. Surgeons who serve breast cancer patients at private practice facilities are those surgeons who opened their doors to provide even more access to care for us, the breast cancer community facing mastectomy.

We are Not Sleeping and Need More Signatures

Whether you are on an appropriations committee or subcommittee, look around the room. One in eight women within your organization will be affected by breast cancer. Leaders like Amy Klobuchar and Debbie Wasserman Schultz are two of them. Ask them how important it is to protect women’s health and access to DIEP Flap.

Many of us feel like we are facing a mountain that feels scary to climb but we are ready. We understand power lies in your hands, but we can influence your decisions by our voices and actions. A friend and colleague in the patient advocacy space put forth a petition that now has close to 10,000 signatures. We know you are going on Congressional recess during August. But we are not sleeping. Please protect our right to choose, protect our access to health care and access to DIEP flap breast reconstruction.

Let them know we are not sleeping.

Gail Lanter ~ The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction

Please sign the petition here: Save Access to Modern Breast Reconstruction For All Women

Disclaimer

References made to my surgical group, surgeon and healthcare team are made because they are aligned with my values and met my criterion after I did research of their practices and success rates. Any other healthcare provider that displays the same skill, compassion education and outreach to patients will be given consideration and recognition on this website.  The information contained on this website is not a substitute for or should be construed as medical advice. Please consult a licensed physician for medical advice.