Didech Focuses on Women’s Health Care Access During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In connection with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, state Rep. Daniel Didech, D-Buffalo Grove, is highlighting legislative efforts to expand access to lifesaving cancer screenings and promoting free screenings through the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).

“Our country’s health care system overwhelmingly fails to support or center the needs of women. All too often insurance companies find ways to financially penalize and deny access to critical health care services to those in need, especially for women, and that is unacceptable,” Didech said. “This spring, the Legislature began work to right this wrong, as well as make sure that at-risk women have access to free breast cancer screenings and treatment options.”

Didech is encouraging women in need to take advantage of the Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP). The program is operated by IDPH, and provides eligible women free breast exams and mammograms, as well as Pap tests and pelvic exams. Women are eligible for these services if they are an uninsured Illinois resident between the ages of 35 and 64. Additionally, if someone who is enrolled in the IBCCP is diagnosed with cancer through the program’s screenings and tests, they may be eligible to receive treatment benefits. For more information, please visit www.dph.illinois.gov or call the Illinois Women’s Health-Line at 1-888-522-1282.

This spring, Didech supported a bipartisan, balanced budget that provided $14.5 million for these potentially lifesaving services for Illinois women, as well as a new law mandating that insurance companies cover diagnostic mammograms as part of preventative care.

“During the month of October, many people will wear a pink t-shirt or change a Facebook profile picture to increase awareness, but we must do more. These efforts are in vain if we do not hold our elected officials accountable and ensure policies that help women are passed,” Didech said. “The needs of women are not a garnish to be considered on occasion – they should be prioritized within every issue.”

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