HOUSE BILL REPORT
2SSB 5820
As Reported by House Committee On:
Health Care
Title: An act relating to medical assistance for breast and cervical cancer treatment for low‑income women.
Brief Description: Providing assistance to treat breast and cervical cancer.
Sponsors: By Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Kastama, Hale, Fraser, Fairley, Regala, Kohl‑Welles, Swecker, Prentice, Hewitt, McAuliffe, Constantine, Eide, T. Sheldon, Johnson, McCaslin, Patterson, Thibaudeau, Snyder, Oke, Horn, Deccio, Rasmussen, Winsley, Hargrove, Benton, Honeyford, Rossi, B. Sheldon, Carlson, Shin, McDonald, Kline, Haugen, Sheahan, Costa, Zarelli, Roach, West, Hochstatter, Jacobsen, Long, Morton, Spanel, Parlette, Franklin and Stevens).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care: 3/23/01, 3/27/01 [DP].
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Brief Summary of Second Substitute Bill
$Expands the Medicaid program to fund treatment for women who screen positive for breast or cervical cancer through the department of health screening program.
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 14 members: Representatives Campbell, Republican Co‑Chair; Cody, Democratic Co‑Chair; Schual‑Berke, Democratic Vice Chair; Skinner, Republican Vice Chair; Alexander, Ballasiotes, Conway, Darneille, Edmonds, Edwards, Marine, McMorris, Pennington and Ruderman.
Staff: Dave Knutson (786‑7146).
Background:
The national Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program was established by the federal government in 1990. The Department of Health operates the program in Washington. The program seeks to increase the early detection of breast and cervical cancer. Women with incomes below 250 percent of the federal poverty level are provided access to breast and cervical cancer screening and assistance in obtaining treatment. The program does not pay for treatment if a woman is identified with breast or cervical cancer.
In October 2000 the President signed the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-354). The Act amends the Medicaid statute to allow states to provide medical assistance to women screened through the Department of Health program and found to need breast or cervical cancer treatment.
If a state elects to exercise this option under the Medicaid statute, the federal government will provide an enhanced fund match to pay for treatment. The enhanced federal match will cover approximately 65 percent of the cost, compared to the usual 50 percent match provided for other Medicaid services. Federal funds are available retroactively for items and services provided on or after October 1, 2000.
Summary of Bill:
Eligibility for medical assistance is modified to include women who are under the age of 65 who have been screened through the Department of Health breast and cervical cancer program, need treatment for cancer, and have no health insurance. Treatment is limited to the time required to treat the breast or cervical cancer.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 2001.
Testimony For: This is an important service expansion for women diagnosed with breast and cervical cancer. A private foundation will make a large contribution to help reduce the state share of funds required, if this legislation is enacted.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Melanie Stewart, American Cancer Society; Ellen Phillips Angeles and Bridgette Richardson, Public Health Seattle and King County; Enriqueia Guevara and Celia Martinez, Sea-Mar Community Health Centers; Vilaska Nguyen, Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs; and C. J. Taylor, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.