UPDATE: Rep. Scott Responds to Groton District Candidate's Condemning Vote Against Breast Cancer Screenings

Update: Rep. Scott has emailed a response since the original printing of this article.

Christine Conley, candidate for state representative for Connecticut’s 40th district of Groton and Ledyard, held a press conference Saturday criticizing Rep. John Scott for voting against expanded insurance coverage for breast cancer screenings in the 2016 legislative session.

She was joined by breast cancer survivors and women’s health advocates at the event which coincided with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, according to a release.

In 2016 the legislature passed An Act Concerning Health Insurance Coverage For Tomosynthesis For Breast Cancer Screenings, which requires health insurance companies to provide coverage for 3D mammography, also known as tomosynthesis. Health insurance companies were already required by Connecticut law to cover 2D mammograms. 3D mammograms have been found to reduce false positives and improve the detection of invasive cancers.

“I find it deeply concerning that Rep. Scott voted against expanding insurance coverage for improved breast cancer screenings earlier this year. This was not a controversial bill — it had broad bipartisan support,” Conley said in a release. “Yet Rep. Scott voted to deny women access to this life-saving technological advancement in breast cancer screening. Instead of voting in the best interest of half of Connecticut’s population, he sided with his friends in the insurance industry. If elected, I will be a strong advocate for policies that support women’s health.”

At a bipartisan press conference at the Legislative Office Building in May, leading medical experts in radiology testified that 3D mammography will lead to cost-savings in the long run by reducing false positives and the need for repeated tests.

Scott cast one of three “no” votes against the bill in the House of Representatives.

“As a breast cancer survivor, I know firsthand that early detection saves lives. Everyone knows a friend or family member who has had breast cancer — it touches all of us,” Conley's mother and breast cancer survivor Marilyn said in a release. “We must use every tool we have to fight this battle. It is unfathomable to me why anyone would oppose the use of technology that gives women a better chance at detecting and beating this horrible disease.”

In light of the situation, Scott sent out a statement regarding his decision in an email.

"Health Insurance is among the leading concerns of Connecticut residents, in my district and across the State. My two decades of experience in the insurance industry was one of the reasons I was elected to the House of Representatives by an overwhelming majority of bipartisan voters. I was asked to apply my insights and experience to help our leaders make sound decisions about access to, and management of, healthcare plans.

"That's why I'm proud to have supported a bill that brings free self-examination education into our classrooms, teaching age-appropriate children how to identify health concerns and talk to a parent or doctor. This bill establishes a lifetime awareness of personal healthcare responsibility. I'm also proud to support free annual primary mammogram exams and to keep co-pays for secondary ultrasound mammography to just $20.

"To shift this $20 co-pay to Connecticut taxpayers, as proposed by my Democratic opponent, would amount to an additional debt of $20 million on an already overburdened state budget. And, that's not the only increase "free" mammograms would deliver — insurance premiums for everyone would increase to cover these costs. How many times do we need to learn this lesson — in the world of healthcare, free is never really, free.

"I'm honored and proud to serve my community with every skill I have — especially that of common sense. Working together, encouraging early detection and keeping all insurance accessible is truly the only way to protect the health of the women we love," Scott said in an email.

Image via Kristen Traini.