Breast Cancer

* I don’t understand Ruth Rosen’s column, “Where Is the Governor’s Compassion?” (Commentary, Oct. 7). Indigent patients ineligible for Medi-Cal benefits are provided treatment in the county in which they reside under the MIA (medically indigent adult) program.

Anyone reading Rosen’s column would think no treatment is available for indigent breast cancer patients, which is certainly not the case.

I have a 24-year history of working in California hospitals and have been a breast cancer patient.

DIANE LEVY RN

Palm Desert

* I was appalled to read Rosen’s article. What was our governor thinking? The Health Department urges and provides early screening for breast cancer free of charge. But Gov. Pete Wilson vetoes a bill that would have provided treatment for uninsured women diagnosed with breast cancer! I, like Rosen and countless others, survived breast cancer diagnosed and treated early in 1972. The timing of this in October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness month, is both sad and ironic.

Hopefully, all women (and men) will remember this when Gov. Wilson runs for president.

EMILY STEINMAN

Valley Village