The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

May 12, 2006

Byrd tries to keep health screenings

By Mannix Porterfield

While nearly 300,000 of his constituents lack any medical insurance, Sen. Robert C. Byrd sought this week to protect screenings in a pending health care proposal.

Yet, it appears his efforts will go for naught, since the Republican leadership moved to keep both a bill and a Byrd amendment from ever reaching a vote.

Byrd said his amendment becomes even more critical when so many West Virginians are unable to “take even the most basic steps” to keep them out of harm’s way when disease threatens.

“It is unacceptable that more and more Americans cannot take advantage of new technological tools to discover health problems early,” the Democratic senator said.

“It’s past time to do something for these citizens.”

Teaming with Sen. Olympia Snow, R-Maine, the senator offered the proposed Small Business Health Fairness Act that would allow such small firms as neighborhood markets, restaurants and hardware stores to pool resources and buy coverage for workers.

The GOP leadership rejected the bipartisan idea, however, prompting Byrd to offer it as an amendment to an alternate bill sponsored by Sen. Michael Enzi, R-Wyoming.

Byrd termed that measure flawed because it would drop the guaranteed access to vital screenings for diabetes, prostrate, breast and cervical cancer, maternity stays and similar preventative health tests and treatments.

“My amendment provides small business workers with guaranteed access to the most important health care screening and services,” Byrd said.

“It is imperative to include procedures guaranteed to catch diseases before the damage can be done. Basic required services are essential keys to the health of all Americans. Living a life free from worries about health care coverage should not be a privilege, but a guarantee.”

By moving to keep all amendments from coming to a vote, Byrd said, the Republican leadership possibly has guaranteed the bill itself will never hit the floor.

“This is not the way the Senate should conduct business,” he said.

“Purposely blocking and disregarding amendments on an issue as vital as affordable health does a disservice to our people and to this institution. It is a slap to small business owners and employees who deserve relief from the health care crunch.”

— E-mail: mannix@register-herald.com

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