Debate over mammograms splits along party lines

Federal funding for abortion (now it's "reproductive rights"...) is not the same thing.  A woman choosing to terminate an unwanted pregnancy should fund it herself.  (There are exceptions, but they are few--life/death situation, etc.)  Medical screenings for cancer, heart, etc. cover the entire population and save lives.  These new 'guidelines' are nothing more than a way to save a buck.  They have nothing to do with what's best for the patient.

Bren -- do you have a link to New York changing the screening age from 40 to 50 under the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection program?  I have been looking for this and can't find it.

I did see that request from a reporter posted by the Mods, asking if anyone had been turned away from the program because of their age -- but I think they meant women 65 and older...

I wonder if what New York State did change (or may change) is their expanded coverage of the program beyond the federal mandates?  The federal program mandates screening mammography of women ages 40 through 64 (on the assumption that Medicare covers women 65 and older).  New York State offered additional coverage through the state program to women 65 and older, and also prostate cancer screening to men.  So maybe this has been rescinded (or will be) because of NY State budget crisis?  But since the CDC hasn't changed their guidelines (40 and older), I don't see how a state can choose not to meet the minimum federal guidelines.  I have been googling for this and can't find it, so I would appreciate a link! 

Thanks,  Ann

P.S. I just called the New York State program and was told that routine screening begins at age 40.  Diagnostic screening is available for women under 40 who are symptomatic or have a family history.  The woman I spoke to did think that for women 65 and older, Medicare was the presumed coverage, but she wasn't sure.  She gave me the number of the program unit closest to my address -- but I didn't want to pursue this any further with a program that is busy trying to respond to people who need appointments.

P.P.S. Regarding the topic header "debate over mammograms splits along party lines" -- Barbara Mikulski, who sponsored the amendment that would require health insurers to cover mammograms for women ages 40 to 49, is a Democrat.