Ayotte Helps Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Access to Mammograms for Women 40 and Older

Press Release

Earlier this week, U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) joined Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) in introducing the Protect Access to Lifesaving Screenings (PALS) Act (S. 1926) to protect access to annual mammogram screenings for women ages 40 to 74. Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives last week by Congresswomen Renee Ellmers (R-NC) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL).

"Preventive screenings play a critical role in the early detection of breast cancer and can help save women's lives," said Senator Ayotte. "The USPSTF recommendations could impede access to these life-saving screenings and I am pleased to work with Senator Mikulski to ensure that women, in consultation with their doctors, are able to make their own health care decisions."

In April 2015, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), an independent advisory panel proposed changes to the national breast screening guidelines that would undermine access to mammography for 22 million women between the ages of 40-49, including approximately 2.8 million African American women who have the highest rate of mortality from breast cancer.

The legislation would place a two-year moratorium on the USPSTF draft breast cancer screening recommendations, allowing time for Congress and others to review the impact these recommendations would have on women being screened for this deadly disease, as well as concerns about the USPSTF process.

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