Politics and Healthcare

Last week the Governor’s budget eliminated funding for cancer screenings for hundreds (if not thousands) of Alabama women. I am sure that the Governor had no bad intentions with this cut – he and his administration have had a tough budget year, and cuts had to come from somewhere. This is one of several programs that had been added to the budget in past years by the Legislature, and the Governor’s budget eliminated many of these programs.

While I can’t comment on all of the programs eliminated by the Governor, I can say that this particular program should not be cut – even in a tough budget year, and regardless of who originally added it to the budget. It is a good program. It saves lives and dramatically affects the quality of life for many Alabamians. As a physician who spent his life treating cancer, I can tell you that an early diagnosis of a woman’s breast cancer is very treatable with a minor impact on her family and at a low cost to whomever is paying the bill. However, that same cancer caught later in its development is much harder to treat and in many cases will result in death.

I learned early on in my career that cancer is not only a personal issue, it is also a family issue. When you work with cancer patients’ day in and day out, you see that this disease affects everyone in the family – spouses, children, parents, and cousins. Everyone can be wiped out financially if one family member is not insured, and all have their lives changed to care for a loved one with cancer.

So my point is that politics, government, and health care will continue to intersect. And tough budgets cause tough choices – but in this case the choice is clear. We cannot sacrifice to the budget axe or to political stands a good program that affects so many lives for such little cost. It is my goal to see that the funding for Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program is restored. I have already met with many of my Senate colleagues as well as the Governor’s office, and I believe that this is one program we need to come together and find a way to fund. It is good medicine and good government.