Federal Women’s Health Study
In response to Column One, “Women’s New Push for Health” (April 30):
The Times point that “most insurers have a policy of not covering new treatments” is right on target. To address that point, I have introduced a measure in the Assembly that would force the state to evaluate such “experimental” procedures or therapies.
When health insurance coverage is purchased, procedures covered are vague. It is not until a specific illness occurs, whether it be life-threatening or not, that questions will arise as to exactly what is or is not covered.
AB 853 would establish a committee whose sole responsibility would be to determine which procedures are no longer termed “experimental.” Procedures that have been utilized for years and have shown to produce positive, life-extending results should come off the “experimental” list and be placed on a list of accepted medical practices.
The women in the article all required various treatments for breast cancer. Unfortunately, they fall into the situation that I am trying to rectify. They all became victims of a health insurance system that fails to adequately insure its policyholders. They all had become victims of not only a disease, but of a system they thought was there to protect them in their time of need.
BOB EPPLE, Assembly, D-Norwalk
More to Read
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.