Often the difference between life and death for breast cancer patients depends upon the types of treatment and services covered by their health insurance companies. With some of the most innovative treatments being routinely labeled as "experimental" by many insurance companies, a need for legal representation arises in cases where women have exhausted all of their options.

Women with breast cancer are sometimes unaware of their legal options to appeal decisions made by their insurance carriers. Also, many women without resources rarely challenge or appeal the decisions of health insurance carriers that deny coverage. Unfortunately, for those who are aware of their legal options, there are few pro bono attorneys and legal referral associations willing or capable of representing women who have been denied health insurance coverage.

Through its Breast Cancer Legal Advocacy Initiative, the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession and its Pro Bono Network works to educate attorneys on some of the legal issues facing women with breast cancer and help increase access to pro bono legal services for women in need. If you are interested in receiving this training, provided by the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession, please contact Pat Krambuhl at the ABA at 312/988-5692.