U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is backing legislation that would expand access to breast and gynecological cancer screenings through safety net health care providers, with an emphasis on reaching low-income women and women of color.
Gillibrand, D-N.Y., joined Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., in reintroducing the Jeanette Acosta Invest in Women’s Health Act, according to an Oct. 6 announcement.
The bill would create grant and pilot programs to expand preventive services and cancer screenings at providers such as Planned Parenthood. It would also support training for health care professionals in screening, early detection and follow-up care.
Supporters say the proposal would help address gaps in access that can leave women without opportunities to detect cancer early or obtain care after a screening.
“Millions of women in the U.S. do not have access to preventative screenings that could catch deadly illnesses early and save their lives,” Gillibrand said.
The legislation is named for Jeanette Acosta, a women’s health advocate, former congressional staffer and Obama administration White House intern who died of cervical cancer in 2017 at age 32.
Her father, Frank X. Acosta, said the bill honors his daughter’s efforts to support other women with cancer and draw attention to disparities in preventive care, particularly among low-income, Latina and Black women.
Murray said expanding access to screening and preventive services would help women obtain treatment earlier. Both senators pledged to continue working toward passage.
The proposal has 14 additional Senate co-sponsors, including Sens. Cory Booker, Amy Klobuchar, Tammy Baldwin, Tammy Duckworth and Raphael’s fellow colleagues listed in the announcement.
Organizations endorsing the bill include the Black Women’s Health Imperative, Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association and Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
The announcement describes a proposed expansion of services, rather than a program currently accepting patients or grant applications. It does not identify funding amounts, participating New York providers or a timetable for congressional action.
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