WASHINGTON, DC: An amendment to the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act, introduced by Congressman Joe Barton (R-Ennis/Arlington) and inspired by an Ellis County woman, was passed by the Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously on Wednesday.

Rep. Barton wrote the amendment after helping one of his constituents – Waxahachie resident Robin Beaton. Earlier this year Beaton was diagnosed with breast cancer and doctors told her she needed to have a mastectomy. Two days before the surgery her insurance company informed her it was investigating her policy and would be delaying payments for any treatment.

Eventually the company determined that Beaton had failed to reveal an unrelated medical condition when she applied for her policy. She explained that it was a simple mistake, but despite her pleas the company cancelled her coverage and refused to pay for her mastectomy.

That’s when Beaton turned to Congressman Barton for help.

He eventually convinced the company to reinstate Beaton’s coverage, but wrote the amendment to make sure this never happened to anyone again.

Rep. Barton’s amendment protects insured people seeking treatment for a serious illness from losing coverage because they accidentally fail to reveal a prior unrelated condition. The amendment gives insurance companies the ability to investigate possible fraud, but it also gives patients the right to appeal any cancellation to an independent third party and receive continuing coverage during that appeal.

“This case brought to light a larger problem. You pay insurance companies to provide a service. They should not be able to use loopholes to avoid that commitment. It is an unethical practice that puts lives in danger and it must stop,” said Congressman Barton.

His amendment will be added to the Breast Cancer Patient Protect Act of 2007. The legislation is designed to make sure breast cancer patients get proper care and aren’t rushed out of the hospital. The Breast Cancer Patient Protect Action, including Rep. Barton’s amendment, is now awaiting action by the full House of Representatives.

Congressman Joe Barton represents the 6th District of Texas. He was first elected to office in 1984.