As a breast cancer survivor I know that mammograms can save womens lives.
Thats why Im so worried about politician Kirk Stensrud.
Stensrud voted to allow insurance companies
To deny coverage for mammograms
And even maternity care
Breast Cancer Survivor on camera Graphic: Lisa Kleingarn
Breast Cancer Survivor reading with kids
Woman having Mammogram Graphic: Kirk Stensrud: Tea Party Agenda: Deny Coverage for Mammograms Source: House Journal 4640, 05/18/11
Breast Cancer Survivor on camera
Pregnant woman at doctor Graphic Kirk Stensrud: Tea Party Agenda: Deny Coverage for Maternity Care Source: Center for American Progress, May 2012
Stensrud Voted for the 2011 Health and Human Services Omnibus Bill. On May 18, 2011, Kirk Stensrud voted to pass SF 760, the 2011 health and human services omnibus bill. [SF 760, House Journal 4640, 05/18/11]
SF 760 States That No Provisions Of The Affordable Care Act May Be Implemented. The Conference Committee Report for SF 760, the 2011 omnibus healthcare finance bill, as passed by both chambers, included language prohibiting the state from implementing the ACA:
State funds must not be expended in the planning or implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-148, as amended by the Health Care and Education Affordability and Reconciliation Act of 2010, Public Law 111-152, and no provisions of the act may be implemented, until the constitutionality of the act has been affirmed by the United States Supreme Court. [SF 760, 05/17/11]
The Affordable Care Act Prevents Insurance Companies From Denying Coverage The Center for American Progress report Women and Obamacare: Whats at Stake for Women if the Supreme Court Strikes Down the Affordable Care Act states: Thanks to Obamacare, more than 45 million women have already have taken advantage of recommended preventive services, including mammograms, pap smears, prenatal care, well-baby care, and well-child care with no cost sharing such as co-pays and deductibles. [Center for American Progress, May 2012] This Tea Party plan would take us back to the days when insurance companies forced women to pay more than men
For life saving cancer screenings Woman talking with doctor Graphic: Kirk Stensrud: Tea Party Agenda: Women Pay More for Insurance Source: Center for American Progress, May 2012
Breast Cancer Survivor on camera The Affordable Care Act Prevents Insurance Companies From Charging Women More. The Center for American Progress report Women and Obamacare: Whats at Stake for Women if the Supreme Court Strikes Down the Affordable Care Act states: In addition, women will no longer encounter discrimination in the health insurance market in the form of lost maternity coverage, higher premiums due to their gender, and denials of coverage for gender-related pre-existing conditions. [Center for American Progress, May 2012] Kirk Stensrud has the wrong priorities for Minnesota.
Breast cancer survivor with her family Graphic: Kirk Stensrud: Wrong for Minnesota
PAID ADVERTISEMENT. PAID FOR BY ALLIANCE FOR A BETTER MINNESOTA ACTION FUND. NOT PREPARED ON BEHALF OF OR IN CONSULTATION WITH ANY CANDIDATE.
NOTE:
Minnesota state law prohibits insurance companies to deny or charge more for coverage based on gender [Minnesota Statutes 62A.306; 62A.041; 62Q.52; 62A.30]; however, those laws do not apply to private, or self-insured, plans.
Self-insured health plans are subject to ERISA and regulated exclusively by the federal government. [Minnesota Attorney Generals Office, Nov. 2012] Therefore, self-insured plans are not subject to state benefit mandates, such as the Minnesota statutes listed above. [mn.gov/commerce/, accessed 07/23/14]
2.1 million Minnesotans had self-insured plans in June 2014, representing 39.4% of the population. [SHADAC, June 2014]
Private insurance coverage of mammograms and maternity care and prohibition against premium variation with regard to gender were provisions of the Affordable Care Act. [PPACA 1201; Epstein, Becker & Green P.C., 2010; www.healthcare.gov: Preventive Services Covered Under the Affordable Care Act, accessed 09/12/12; www.healthcare.gov: Essential Health Benefits, accessed 09/12/12]
In conclusion, if Minnesota banned implementation of the Affordable Care Act, individual, small business and public health plans would be subject to Minnesota statute and prohibited from discriminating based on gender. Self-insured plans, which make up a sizable amount of the population, would not.