Bush Undermines Women's Health Care Security

As we continue to find out additional details on Presdient Bush's harmful budget, recent news reports confirm his budget makes reckless cuts to the federal government's national breast and cervical cancer program run by the Centers for Disease Control. Despite the known success of this program and its reputation for saving lives the President has proposed a $1.4 million cut, that will stop 4,000 women from benefiting from early detection. [Budget of the U.S. Government FY07]

The program is designed to help a critical population of working women who are ineligible for Medicaid, and whose employees do not provide health care coverage. Many of these women lack the benefit of a family doctor who might help them get access to early screening. The program provides an essential service in the battle to fight cancer by offering free mammograms, Pap tests, and additional early detection services. Instead of providing additional funding to help fully service the affected population, President Bush has proposed deep budget cuts to this vital program.

"Once again the Bush Administration has undermined the health care security of America's women," said Democratic National Committee Spokesperson Amaya Smith. "It makes little sense to cut a program that has been successful in saving women's lives and lowering health care costs through prevention.

"President Bush's misplaced priorities and shortsightedness is another example of the dangerous incompetent policies of the Bush Administration. Instead of gutting successful programs that are saving lives and improving women's health, Bush should join Democrats in working to bolster women's health care and support America's working families."