Greater Cancer Testing Coverage Backed

The House has passed a resolution (H.Con.Res. 385) stating the sense of Congress that federal health care programs should cover certain tests to screen for ovarian cancer should research into those tests prove them to be effective. While not binding, the resolution could be the first step toward mandating coverage for such tests in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program at some future date. Sponsors say that ovarian cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death among women and that while when it is detected in the early stages more than 90 percent survive longer than five years, when it is not diagnosed until the advanced stages only 25 percent survive more than five years.