An initiative welcomed by all parliamentary groups. At the end of the “Pink October” operation, the Senate on Wednesday unanimously supported a communist bill aimed at improving the management of treatments related to breast cancer, in order to reduce the burden on patients, experienced as a “double punishment”. .
Adapted physical activity, dietary advice, hair and breast implants… While more than 60,000 new cases are diagnosed every year, breast cancer places many women in a fragile financial situation, with often high living expenses and numerous expenses related to additional treatments – and not reimbursed – or the purchase of accessories (suitable underwear, creams, nail polish to prevent nail loss, etc.).
Faced with this situation, communist parliamentarians have proposed in recent months to establish “total” coverage of all treatments related to this disease, responsible for 12,000 deaths per year in the country, and whose financial burden for patients would be included between 1,300 and 2,500 euros according to the League against Cancer.
“Let justice be done to these women”
Approved unanimously by the National Assembly at the end of May, PCF head Fabien Roussel’s bill suffered the same fate in a chamber dominated by a right-center alliance that also supported the text, reorienting it towards more specific treatments for this pathology. “One less injustice for women affected by breast cancer,” greeted the head of the PCF on X after the vote.
“We will go all the way to ensure that justice is done for these women so that they do not have to suffer the double penalty of illness and too much to pay,” insisted Senator Cathy Apourceau-Poly, who brought this text to the Upper House. .
Compromise
In the course of raising awareness through the “Pink October” operation, the government expressed a “very positive judgment of wisdom” on this text, however inviting it to “work out adaptations” during the rest of the parliamentary shuttle.
The Minister of Family Affairs, Agnès Canayer, fears in particular the “questioning of a fundamental principle, that of the equity of our healthcare system”. The president of the Social Affairs Committee of the LR Senate, Philippe Mouiller, made the same observations.
But a compromise emerged in the Upper House, approved by all groups in the Upper Assembly, to reorient the text on the coverage of “costs considered specific to breast cancer”, such as the renewal of breast implants, the purchase of adequate underwear etc. – so-called “supportive” treatments such as adapted physical activity.
On the other hand, the exemption of patients from the payment of “lump sum contributions” and “medical deductibles”, due to consultations and other paramedical actions, has definitively disappeared from the text with the adoption of a right-wing amendment.
Emotion in the hemicycle
“We now have a legally more rigorous text, which corresponds to a real need, and with legal vectors applicable as quickly as possible. These are the best conditions for a legislative text to last” in the second reading in the National Assembly, appreciated Philippe Mouiller.
The Senate also proposed a financing solution through the creation of a “specific package” dedicated to accessories and other cosmetics currently not reimbursed by Social Security, and a cap on excess expenses for all consultations or interventions during the patient’s journey. “I would have liked us to go further (…) but I think there are some decisive advances in this text,” admitted Cathy Apourceau-Poly.
The debates aroused strong emotions in the afternoon during some interventions, such as that of the socialist senator Corinne Féret, who had to repress some sobs when speaking of the “unjust inequalities” suffered by women affected by breast cancer.
Oise Senator Sylvie Valente Le Hir (related to LR) also shocked her colleagues by confiding that she had “gone through this ordeal” of breast cancer. “If we can alleviate the material hardships of people with cancer, we will have already taken a big step forward in helping them recover,” he said.
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Interview: Time.news Editor Meets Breast Cancer Policy Expert
Editor: Welcome, and thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent developments regarding breast cancer treatment legislation in the Senate. This initiative has sparked significant discussion, particularly around the financial burdens faced by patients. To start, can you explain the essence of the recently passed bill and its implications?
Expert: Thank you for having me. The bill primarily aims to improve the management of various treatments related to breast cancer, which is crucial given that over 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. The initiative seeks to alleviate what many women perceive as a “double punishment”—the physical toll of the illness compounded by financial strain from expensive, often non-reimbursed treatments and supportive therapies.
Editor: That’s a striking double challenge indeed. You mentioned non-reimbursed treatments. What specific costs are we talking about here?
Expert: Patients frequently face considerable out-of-pocket expenses which can range from 1,300 to 2,500 euros. This covers additional treatments such as dietary advice, adapted physical activities, and accessories like specialized underwear and cosmetic products designed to manage side effects like hair loss. In many cases, these costs are not supported by standard healthcare reimbursements, leaving patients to shoulder a heavyweight financial burden in addition to their health struggles.
Editor: It’s concerning to hear how financial issues complicate an already difficult situation. The bill was unanimously supported by all parliamentary groups, which is quite rare. What does this unified support say about the urgency of the issue?
Expert: It highlights a collective recognition across party lines that the issue of breast cancer treatment accessibility and affordability is paramount. The unanimous approval reflects a growing awareness that addressing these financial burden issues can significantly impact the quality of life for those living with breast cancer. Lawmakers seem to agree that it’s time to make a substantive legislative change.
Editor: As you mentioned, the bill aims to provide “total” coverage of breast cancer-related treatments. However, there were some compromises made during the legislative process. Can you elaborate on those?
Expert: Certainly! While the original aim was to ensure full coverage, what ultimately emerged was more of a reorientation towards specific treatments. This includes funding for supportive therapies like the purchase of breast implants and adequate clothing. However, the more comprehensive measures, such as exempting patients from lump sum contributions and medical deductibles, were removed under the influence of a right-wing amendment. Although it’s a step forward, many advocates, including Senator Cathy Apourceau-Poly, wish it could have gone further.
Editor: It seems like a mix of progress and limitations. What can we expect in terms of the implementation of this bill and its tangible effects on patients’ lives?
Expert: The amendments to the bill propose practical solutions, such as the creation of a funding package specifically for non-reimbursed accessories and a cap on excess medical expenses. The hope is that these changes will alleviate some of the financial stress on patients. However, the effectiveness of these measures will largely depend on how quickly these changes are enacted and how well they are communicated to the affected women. The community will be watching closely to ensure that these proposed benefits translate into real-world support.
Editor: It’s a sensitive and evolving topic. How do you see public awareness and advocacy influencing future policies related to women’s health, especially concerning breast cancer?
Expert: Public awareness campaigns, like “Pink October,” have played a pivotal role in bringing these issues to the forefront. They raise awareness not just about the disease itself but also about the ancillary challenges faced by women during treatment. Increased advocacy can lead to more comprehensive policy changes as lawmakers become more attuned to the specific needs of patients. As society recognizes these challenges, we can significantly influence mental well-being and support for women navigating breast cancer.
Editor: Thank you for shedding light on this critical issue! It’s clear there’s much work to be done, but these legislative efforts mark an important step in making a positive impact on the lives of breast cancer patients.
Expert: Thank you for facilitating this discussion. My hope is that increased awareness can lead to stronger support for this community in the future.