Opinion

Cancer screenings a victim of budget impasse

Posted May 25, 2016 1:00 am

The latest budget bill sent to Gov. Rauner made it clear - the people of Illinois want to protect lifesaving programs that provide women's access to breast and cervical cancer screenings. So why are we still waiting on funding?

The Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program has continually been at risk throughout budget talks. Funding cuts have forced IBCCP agencies to help fewer women and cut hours of service. Some providers have even closed their doors.

When women's lives are at stake and when detecting cancer early is essential to survival, this is completely unacceptable.

Gov. Rauner, it's time to stop playing games with women's health. I ask you to pass a budget that preserves this important program for low-income, uninsured women.

I joined nearly 200 advocates in Springfield recently to make that message loud and clear. Sen. Melinda Bush and Rep. Rita Mayfield, thank you for meeting with me and hearing why it's so important to protect cancer screenings. I hope I can count on you to support efforts to fund IBCCP.

Maggie Powell

Waukegan

Article Comments

Article Categories
Communities Letters to the Editor Opinion Waukegan

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.