Physician turns grief, frustration to good cause

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Saturday, October 24, 1998

BY EARNEST WINSTON
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Family photo of Christine Horner-Taylor and her mother, Beulah Horner. | ZOOM |

EDGEWOOD -- Christine Horner-Taylor had breast cancer patients who needed reconstruction surgery and couldn't afford it.

Then she watched her mother die of breast cancer.

A crusade was launched.

For four years, the Edgewood plastic surgeon campaigned for federal and state legislation requiring insurance companies to pay for breast reconstruction following mastectomy.

Finally, Dr. Horner-Taylor, of Fort Mitchell, is able to breathe a sigh of relief.

On Wednesday, President Clinton signed into law the budget bill -- effective Jan. 1 -- that includes just such a provision.

"She's gone to great lengths to pursue the availability of options to women who have undergone breast-cancer surgeries," said Gayle Payne, owner of Image Insights.

The firm helps Tristate women who have cancer with hair and breast prostheses, makeup, compression garments, post-surgical bras and other products.

"I think it opens a tremendous amount of doors for women." In her efforts, Dr. Horner-Taylor met with President and Hillary Clinton, Sens. Edward Kennedy and Alfonse D'Amato, and Rep. Sue Kelly.

"This is a dream come true," she said. "I really worked hard on this. And part of it was, I watched (my mother) die. I thought, "If there is something I could do to make a difference for the world . . .'

"Simultaneously, I had a couple of patients that . . . the insurance companies said, "We're not going to pay for (breast reconstruction).' " In 1997, of 182,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer, 46,000 died of the disease.

In recent years, 29 states have passed breast reconstruction laws.

Dr. Horner-Taylor, a University of Cincinnati College of Medicine graduate and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, said her mother, Beulah Horner, must be smiling.

"I'm sure she would just go, "I'm so proud of you.' "

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Local Headlines For Saturday, October 24, 1998

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Kenton rejects settlement plan
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Police confiscate bogus merchandise
Prosecutor seeks passport surrender
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Satanic graffiti found in house
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TV ads getting ugly
UC dedicates commons, tower
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