Press Releases

At a time when regular mammograms have become the accepted standard of care for early detection and prevention of breast cancer deaths, the state of Connecticut has taken a step backwards with budget cuts that will limit access to imaging services for every woman in the state.

Last year, the General Assembly cut $7.5 million from Medicaid reimbursement for imaging services, more than a 42 percent cut in funding that immediately impacted poor women seeking ultrasounds, x-rays and mammograms. With this cut, medical offices are reimbursed $6 for a chest x-ray.

In the long term, the lack of adequate reimbursement for services will likely close the doors of imaging practices, and reduce access for all women, regardless of how they are insured.  A private radiology practice in Meriden has announced it will no longer accept new Medicaid patients. And last summer, one of only two private practices in Hartford closed.

The legislature is considering S.B. 295, a bill that would require the state to study the impact of cuts on access to care. Read S.B. 295 ›

And key leaders of the legislature’s Black and Puerto Rican Caucus have made the issue of restoration of funding a priority. See Senator Marilyn Moore’s recent op-ed ›

We know that mammograms save lives. Connecticut should be adopting policies that make imaging more accessible for women, not balancing the budget by making mammograms harder to get.

Call the Governor’s office and legislative leaders; tell them to restore Medicaid funding for mammograms, x-rays and ultrasound imaging.

In Connecticut:

• Governor Dannel P. Malloy: 860-566-4840 or 1-800-406-1527

2016 Connecticut Senate & House Leadership Phone Numbers and Email Addresses:

• Senate President Pro Tempore, Martin M. Looney
  Looney@senatedems.ct.gov
• Senate Majority Leader, Bob Duff
  Duff@senatedems.ct.gov
• Senate Democrats
  (860) 240-8600
  1-800-842-1420
• Senate Minority Leader, Leonard Fasano
  Len.Fasano@cga.ct.gov
• Senate Minority Leader Pro Tempore, Kevin Witkos
  Kevin.Witkos@cga.ct.gov
• Senate Republicans
  (860) 240-8800
  1-800-842-1421

• House Speaker of the House, J. Brendan Sharkey
  Brendan.Sharkey@cga.ct.gov
• House Majority Leader, Joe Aresimowicz
  Joe.Aresimowicz@cga.ct.gov
• House Democrats Leadership:
  (860) 240-8500
  1-800-842-1902
• House Republican Leader, Themis Klarides
  Themis.Klarides@housegop.ct.gov
• Deputy House Republican Leader, Vincent Candelora
  Vincent.Candelora@housegop.ct.gov
• House Republicans Leadership:
  (860) 240-8700
  1-800-842-1423

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