U.S. senator apologizes for mammography remarks

U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) apologized yesterday for comments he made about mammography during a debate over health benefits in the proposed American Health Care Act (AHCA).

Roberts made the comments to a reporter during a discussion over whether the AHCA should fund 10 essential health benefits that insurers must pay for under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), including mammography.

Roberts reportedly said, "I wouldn't want to lose my mammograms," which was taken as a criticism of how the ACA forced people to pay for health benefits they never used. Republicans were debating a change to the AHCA that would have removed a requirement for insurers to pay for some benefits like mammograms.

In a follow-up interview with CNN, Roberts made the argument that not all of the essential health benefits were "really needed," and that individuals ought to be able to "choose plans that let them decide what's essential," according to a story published March 23. In his case, Roberts said he didn't need mammograms because he's a man.

The comments created a firestorm of criticism, as Roberts was assailed for being insensitive to women's health issues. He walked the comments back later that afternoon.

As of press time on Friday, March 24, Republicans were still debating whether they could round up enough Republican votes to pass the legislation. President Donald Trump has threatened to allow the ACA to stand and move on to addressing other issues if the GOP is unable to pass the AHCA legislation.