Let's Keep the Pressure On!

Keep the Pressure On

to Help Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer

First, some good news to share:

New VA Co-Sponsors for the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act! (H.R. 3183; S. 1312) Three Virginia legislators, Representative Gerald Connolly, (D-11th) and Representative Morgan Griffith, (R-9th), and Representative Elaine Luria (D-2nd), recently signed on to co-sponsor this bill. You may recall that VBCF advocates met with Rep. Griffith and Rep. Luria during National Breast Cancer Lobby Day - great work! But, we still need more sponsors to get this bill moving in Congress (see below).

Background: VBCF is working with the National Brest Cancer Coalition (NBCC) to help pass the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act, which would waive the waiting periods for Medicare (up to 24 months) and Social Security Disability benefits (up to 5 months) for those living with metastatic breast cancer. Waiving these waiting periods would allow patients to get the health care they need sooner and help lessen the stress and financial burden they are facing.

Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program (DOD BCRP) Update

More good news on another of our key priorities! The House Appropriations Committee has approved the requested $150M for FY2022 for the DOD BCRP. The Senate has not moved forward their bill language yet, but we are hopeful to see the same $150M appropriated on the Senate side.

Metastatic Breast Cancer Doesn't Take a Break!

Congress is about to take their August recess, which happens to be a great time to contact your legislator while they are back home. See the details below.

TAKE ACTION TODAY!!

Ask YOUR legislator to co-sponsor

the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act:

1) Use NBCC's Action Center to easily send an email to your legislators. Just enter your mailing address and the Action Center tool does the rest! Make it Personal: You can add details to the preset email language - make sure to tell your legislator why this matters to you.

2) Call your legislator's office. The Action Center will also provide your legislator's phone number. Make a quick call to their office to tell them you are a constituent and want them to support this bill. Your message can be this brief:

"I am a constituent of Representative X from (your city). I am calling to ask the Representative /Senator to co-sponsor H.R. 3183 /S.1312, The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act. This bill is important to me as a (breast cancer survivor/patient/advocate) because it ensures that individuals with metastatic breast cancer don’t have to wait to get access to the care they need."

3) During the August Congressional recess, make an appointment to meet with your legislator in person while they are home, attend a townhall meeting, or write a Letter to the Editor. NBCC has other ideas for advocacy activities during the August Recess

Thank you for taking action today!

Questions? Kirsta Millar, VBCF Policy Manager, kirsta@vbcf.org.

Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation

www.vbcf.org | 1-800-345-8223