Ob-Gyns love Portantino
By Andre Coleman 06/12/2008
The California branch of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recently named Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, D–La Cañada Flintridge, Legislator of the Year for his work with collecting umbilical cord blood and increasing access to breast cancer screenings.
Last year, Portantino authored Assembly Bill 34, requiring the state Department of Public Health to create the California Umbilical Cord Blood Collection Program, which collects and stores umbilical cord blood, a rich source of stem cells that are utilized for bone marrow transplants and to treat various genetic disorders that affect the blood and immune system, such as leukemia, certain cancers and other inherited disorders.
According to the National Marrow Donor Program, there are 35,000 people who could benefit from marrow or cord blood transplants each year, many of whom die as a result of being unable to find suitable matches. Since the legislation passed, umbilical cord blood collection points have been established throughout the state, particularly in minority communities, which have been underserved by existing private programs.
Earlier this year, Portantino authored AB 2234, requiring health insurance plans to cover breast cancer screenings for women who have family histories of cancer or fall into other risk categories.
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