Senator Gillibrand Reintroduces Bill to Expand Cancer Screenings for Low-Income Women
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) has joined Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) in reintroducing the Jeanette Acosta Invest in Women’s Health Act. This legislation aims to broaden access to critical breast and gynecological cancer screenings, particularly for low-income women and women of color. The proposed bill seeks to establish new grant and pilot programs designed to enhance preventive services and cancer screenings at safety net healthcare providers, including organizations like Planned Parenthood. Additionally, the act would support training initiatives for healthcare professionals, focusing on improving the quality of cancer screening, early detection methods, and subsequent follow-up care. Senator Gillibrand emphasized that millions of women in the U.S. currently lack access to these preventative screenings, which are vital for early detection of life-threatening illnesses. The legislation is named in honor of Jeanette Acosta, a women's health advocate and former congressional staffer who passed awa...