Florida Senate - 2014                             (NP)    SR 838
       
       
        
       By Senator Gibson
       
       
       
       
       
       9-00963-14                                             2014838__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing March 21, 2014, as “Breast
    3         Restoration AdVocacy Education (BRAVE) Day” in
    4         Florida.
    5  
    6         WHEREAS, 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop
    7  breast cancer within her lifetime, and
    8         WHEREAS, in 2011, an estimated 288,130 new cases of breast
    9  cancer were diagnosed in women nationwide, and
   10         WHEREAS, breast surgery for the treatment of cancer results
   11  in disfigurement that has a significant impact on a woman’s
   12  self-esteem and well-being, and
   13         WHEREAS, restoring a breast is an integral part of breast
   14  cancer treatment and is of paramount importance in a woman’s
   15  recovery, and
   16         WHEREAS, under the federal Women’s Health and Cancer Rights
   17  Act of 1998, group health plans, insurance companies, and health
   18  maintenance organizations must provide coverage for
   19  reconstructive services related to a mastectomy, and
   20         WHEREAS, the act requires group health plans, insurance
   21  companies, and health maintenance organizations offering
   22  mastectomy coverage to provide women with notice of these rights
   23  when they enroll, and
   24         WHEREAS, most members of the medical community and the
   25  community at large advocate that women with a new diagnosis of
   26  breast cancer deserve to know that these rights exist so they
   27  can make educated and thoughtful decisions regarding treatment
   28  options, and
   29         WHEREAS, preparing a comprehensive breast treatment plan
   30  before beginning treatment has a positive impact on the overall
   31  well-being of the patient, and
   32         WHEREAS, it is essential that public awareness of the
   33  mandate of coverage for reconstructive services related to a
   34  mastectomy be elevated, NOW, THEREFORE,
   35  
   36  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   37  
   38         That March 21, 2014, is recognized as “Breast Restoration
   39  AdVocacy Education (BRAVE) Day” in Florida.