Surgeon General commemorates Health Care Act in Iowa

DES MOINES - At a press conference in Des Moines today, Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin was joined by Iowa doctors, cancer advocates and local leaders to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act.  The event was organized by a coalition of Iowa health care advocate groups including the American Cancer Society, Iowa Caregivers Association, Iowa Citizen Action Network, Child & Family Policy Center, and the Iowa Alliance for Retired Americans.

“Iowa is a leader in medical education and quality medical care,” said Dr. Benjamin.  “It is only fitting that we are here to celebrate the important changes this new law has given us, and to talk to leaders who are on the front lines improving our health care system.”

Also speaking at the press conference, on behalf of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), wasDr. Richard Deming, Medical Director for Mercy Hospital's Cancer Center. “Examined through the eyes of a cancer patient, one can see why this law is so important,” said Deming.  “The state of Iowa is well known for being ‘Life Changing.' I can say, on this very important day, that this new law has indeed been ‘life changing' for cancer patients and their families,” Deming added.

Peggy Huppert, Iowa Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society, joined the Surgeon General at the press conference. Huppert stated, “The new law has had a dramatic effect in just one short year. Cancer patients and their families know they won't ever face lifetime or annual limits on their care, many going bankrupt as a result. They know that critical preventive measures and treatment will be covered, and that they won't be denied for pre-existing conditions. This law is a major step in our efforts to help cancer patients and their families, and the progress is too important to ever turn our backs on.”