U.S. Congressman Mike McIntyre announced today that one bill to help in the fight against breast cancer has passed the U.S. House of Representatives and one has passed both the House and Senate and been sent to the President for enactment into law.

Congressman McIntyre stated, “The work to help breast cancer patients in improving hospital care and the work to boost research into this deadly disease must always remain at the forefront in our work. These bills help in these two critically important areas, and I am pleased they have passed the U.S. House.”

The first bill, which has passed the U.S. House and which McIntyre was an original co-sponsor of, would prohibit insurance companies from limiting hospital stays for women who have undergone treatment for a mastectomy or lumpectomy to less than 48 hours – or 24 hours in the case of lymph node dissections. Insurance regulations force many women who have mastectomies to leave the hospital within a few hours of surgery. This minimum stay requirement would apply to all individuals and group health insurance plans.

The second bill, which has been sent to the President for signature into law and which McIntyre was also a sponsor of, would authorize an additional $40 million in spending to the National Institutes of Health for breast cancer research – related activities.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.