MARLBOROUGH, Mass.,
Dec. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/
-- Hologic, Inc. (Nasdaq: HOLX) today expressed support for
new federal measures that preserve access to mammography for breast
cancer screening and increase incentives for biomedical research
and development. These measures were recently passed with
bipartisan Congressional support and signed into law by the
President.
Essential components of the Protect Access to Lifesaving
Screenings (PALS) Act (H.R. 3339 and S. 1926) were included in an
appropriations measure that places a two-year moratorium on
implementation of any new breast cancer screening recommendations
by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).
If finalized and implemented in their current draft form, these
recommendations would have allowed insurance companies to charge
women ages 40-49 a co-payment or other out-of-pocket costs for
mammograms, potentially limiting access for up to 22 million
women.
The recently passed tax extenders legislation provides a
two-year moratorium on the 2.3% excise tax charged on the sale of
medical devices under the Affordable Care Act, and also makes
permanent the Federal research tax credit, which recently had been
extended on an annual basis.
"Hologic is grateful to the bipartisan coalition in Congress
that introduced the PALS Act, which will preserve free access to
mammograms for younger women who are often more likely to develop
aggressive breast cancer," said Steve
MacMillan, the Company's chairman, president and CEO.
"We are also pleased that the tax extenders legislation increases
incentives for companies to pursue innovative research and
development in the United States
by suspending the onerous excise tax on medical device sales, and
by making permanent the federal R&D tax credit."
Hologic believes that all women should have access to the
life-saving benefits of mammography for breast cancer screening,
regardless of their age or ability to pay. In addition, the
Company is committed to educating women about new, state-of-the-art
mammograms that have been proven superior to traditional
methods. Specifically, clinical studies have shown that
Hologic's GeniusTM 3-D MammogramsTM
can detect 41 percent more invasive breast cancers than
conventional methods, while simultaneously reducing unnecessary
patient call-backs by up to 40 percent.
About Hologic
Hologic, Inc. is a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier
of premium diagnostic products, medical imaging systems and
surgical products. The Company's core business units focus on
diagnostics, breast health, GYN surgical, and skeletal health. With
a unified suite of technologies and a robust research and
development program, Hologic is dedicated to The Science of Sure.
For more information on Hologic, visit www.hologic.com.
Hologic, The Science of Sure, Aptima, Panther, ThinPrep and
associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of
Hologic, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking information that
involves risks and uncertainties, including statements about the
use of the Hologic's Genius 3-D Mammograms. There can
be no assurance that these products will achieve the benefits
described herein, or that such benefits will be replicated in any
particular manner with respect to an individual patient. The actual
effect of the use of the products can only be determined on a
case-by-case basis depending on the particular circumstances and
patient in question. In addition, there can be no guarantee that
these products will be adopted by customers or achieve any expected
level of sales. Hologic expressly disclaims any obligation or
undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any
such statements presented herein to reflect any change in
expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances
on which any such statements are based.
References: 1) Friedewald S, Rafferty E, Rose S, et al. "Breast
Cancer Screening using Tomosynthesis in Combination with Digital
Mammography." Journal of the American Medical Association.
2014 July; 311(24): 2499-2507. Epub 2014 June 24. 2) Skaane P,
Bandos A, Gullien R, et al. "Comparison of Digital Mammography
Alone and Digital Mammography Plus Tomosynthesis in a
Population-based Screening Program." Radiology. 2013 Apr;
267(1):47-56. Epub 2013 Jan 7 3) Rose
S, Tidwell A, Bujnock L, et al. "Implementation of Breast
Tomosynthesis in a Routine Screening Practice: An Observational
Study." American Journal of Roentengenology. 2013 Jun;
200(6): 1401-1408. Epub 2013 May 22.
Contact:
Michael Watts
Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
(858) 410-8588
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hologic-applauds-passage-of-federal-measures-that-preserve-access-to-mammography-for-breast-cancer-screening-and-increase-incentives-for-biomedical-research-and-development-300196052.html
SOURCE Hologic, Inc.