More Women Die Today from Osteoporosis than Breast Cancer. Help Reverse this Trend.

Although, Osteoporosis is a preventable disease, it is under-diagnosed and under-treated today. In fact, over 48,000 women actually die from the complications associated with an Osteoporotic hip fracture annually.  A staggering fact, when you consider that more women die from Osteoporosis than breast cancer.  

The “Cast Mountain” in the attached picture represents the 5,500 avoidable bone breaks that occur each day in the United States due to osteoporosis and fragile bones.  A simple test, called DXA, is the gold standard for diagnosing Osteoporosis. Early diagnosis and early treatment is incredibly effective. Unfortunately, massive cuts to Medicare reimbursement over the past 6 years have affected access to this important test.

Medicare cuts, which took effect on March 1, 2012, have made it impossible for many physicians to continue providing the important test.   With little relief in sight, more providers are making decisions to sell their DXA machines, close or limit their practices and lay off valuable employees.  DXA testing has already dropped around the country.  These declines are significant and could result in increased fractures and significantly higher costs to the health care system.

This trend of testing fewer older women will result in more fractures, more nursing home admissions and more deaths.

Congress is currently considering Medicare legislation and we believe it should include funding for DXA testing.  Sen. Robert Menendez is one of the leaders who will decide what will happen with DXA.  Please call his office today at 202-224-4744 and let him know that you want him to restore funding for this important test to protect your bone health.