“Vitter said he’s been ‘very involved on breast-cancer-related issues, going back to my service in the House,’ citing several examples. ‘So this is not some newfound focus.’” [Politico, 12/7/09]

Going back to his service in the Louisiana House, David Vitter has consistently voted to allow big insurance companies to restrict access to routine breast cancer screenings:

1997: While a Member of the Louisiana House, Vitter Voted Against Advancing Bill that Required Insurance Companies to Cover Routine Mammograms. While in the Louisiana House in 1997, Vitter voted against advancing a bill that required health insurance companies to cover routine mammograms. [Louisiana House Journal]

2000: Vitter Only Member of Louisiana Delegation to Oppose Budget that Included Coverage of Digital Mammograms. Vitter was the only member of the Louisiana House delegation to vote against a 2001 budget package that included increased funding for health screenings including mammograms. Among other things, the budget required Medicare to cover digital mammograms. [Vote #603, 12/15/00; Times-Picayune, 12/16/00]

2003: Vitter Supported Bill that Allowed the Creation of Health Plans Exempt from State Breast Cancer Screening Requirements. In 2003, Vitter voted in favor of a bill that would allow small businesses to join together to form association health plans across state lines without having to adhere to state-mandated coverage requirements for certain diseases. Opponents claimed the bill would weaken coverage for diseases such as autism, breast cancer, prostate cancer and mental illness. The bill passed 262-162. [HR 660, Vote 296, 6/19/03; American Health Line, 6/13/03; States News Service, 6/20/03]

2004: Vitter Opposed Measure Preventing Insurance Companies from Reducing Coverage for Breast Cancer Screenings. In 2004, Vitter voted against a motion that would have prohibited association health plans from allowing reductions in breast cancer coverage. [HR 4281, Vote 173, 5/13/04]

2006: Vitter Again Voted to Override State Mandates Requiring Insurance Companies to Cover Routine Mammograms. In 2006, Vitter again supported a measure that would override state mandates requiring the coverage of procedures like routine breast cancer screenings, allowing insurance companies to drop coverage for mammograms. AARP Louisiana, the American Cancer Society, Louisiana Attorney General Charles Foti, and Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon opposed this bill. [Vote #119, 2006; Times-Picayune, 5/9/06]