FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFrom: Martinez, Eduardo [Eduardo.Martinez@asm.ca.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, June 04, 2008 4:02 PM
Subject: Press Release - Portantino Honored as "Legislator of the Year" For Promoting Women's Health Issues
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Eduardo Martinez
June 4, 2008 (916) 319-2044
Portantino Honored as ìLegislator of the Yearî For Promoting Womenís Health Issues
The California Chapter of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recognizes
Assemblymember Anthony Portantino for leading health care legislation
SACRAMENTO, CA ñ The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, District IX (California) will honor Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D ñ La CaÒada Flintridge) during their 2nd annual legislative reception on June 4, 2008 for his work addressing umbilical cord blood and increased access to breast cancer screenings.
ìI commend the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists for their ongoing efforts to improve health care for Californians and I am honored to be recognized by such a prominent organization,î said Portantino, who authored Assembly bills supported by ACOG. ìThe approach Iíve taken with my legislation is to keep California at the forefront in the latest advancements in treatment and screening techniques to benefit not just women, but everyone.î
Last year, Assemblymember Portantino authored and successfully passed AB 34, which requires the Department of Public Health to create the California Umbilical Cord Blood Collection Program. Under that legislation, the Department is required to establish umbilical cord blood collection points throughout that state with a particular emphasis on serving communities of color, who have been historically underserved by private umbilical cord blood programs. Blood retrieved from the umbilical cord is a rich source of stem cells. Cord blood, like bone marrow, can be used to treat various genetic disorders that affect the blood and immune system, leukemia and certain cancers, and other inherited disorders. According to the National Marrow Donor Program, there are 35,000 people who could benefit from marrow or cord blood transplants each year, many of whom die as a result of being unable to find suitable matches.
This year, the Assemblymember authored AB 2234, which requires health insurance plans to cover breast cancer screenings for women who fall into certain risk categories, such as having a family history of cancer. Californiaís current insurance coverage mandate, established twenty years ago, is a one-size-fits-all solution which only requires that women be eligible for screening after the age of 35, irrespective of widely accepted scientific risk factors that demonstrate some women are at greater risk of developing breast cancer. Despite advancements in treatment and diagnoses, nearly 20,000 California women succumb to breast cancer every year.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is a nationwide organization with over 50,000 members, 5,000 of which are practicing in California. ACOG is not only a national leader in advocating for womenís health issues, but also sets the bar for the standard of care for all obstetricians and gynecologists.
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