HOUSE BILL REPORT
2SHB 1058
As Passed Legislature
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 House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Ruderman, Campbell, Cody, Skinner, Linville, Barlean, Lovick, Doumit, Ballasiotes, Lambert, Cox, Gombosky, Schual‑Berke, Darneille, Van Luven, Ogden, Conway, Keiser, O'Brien, Edmonds, Anderson, Edwards, McDermott, Haigh, Kenney, Kirby, Kagi, Hunt, Esser, McIntire and Jackley).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care: 1/30/01, 2/6/01 [DPS];
Appropriations: 3/1/01, 4/18/01 [DP2S(w/o sub HC)].
First Special Session
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 5/1/01, 92-0.
Passed Senate: 5/23/01, 42-0.
Passed Legislature.
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Brief Summary of Second Substitute Bill
$Provides Medicaid coverage to treat women with breast or cervical cancer who have no insurance coverage.
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 13 members: Representatives Campbell, Republican Co‑Chair; Cody, Democratic Co‑Chair; Schual‑Berke, Democratic Vice Chair; Skinner, Republican Vice Chair; Alexander, Ballasiotes, Conway, Darneille, Edwards, Marine, McMorris, Pennington and Ruderman.
Staff: Dave Knutson (786‑7146).
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Majority Report: The second substitute bill be substituted therefor and the second substitute bill do pass and do not pass the substitute bill by Committee on Health Care. Signed by 28 members: Representatives Sehlin, Republican Co‑Chair; H. Sommers, Democratic Co‑Chair; Barlean, Republican Vice Chair; Doumit, Democratic Vice Chair; Lisk, Republican Vice Chair; Alexander, Benson, Boldt, Buck, Clements, Cody, Cox, Dunshee, Fromhold, Gombosky, Grant, Kagi, Keiser, Kenney, Lambert, Linville, Mastin, Mulliken, Pearson, Ruderman, D. Schmidt, Schual‑Berke and Talcott.
Staff: Amy Hanson (786‑7118).
Background:
The national Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program was established by the federal government in 1990. The Department of Health and tribal entities operate 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 or a tribal 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 or a tribal 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 July 1, 2001.
Testimony For: (Health Care) Women who test positive for breast and cervical cancer need to begin treatment quickly. Modifying the Medicaid program to cover these uninsured women is a cost effective way to provide them with treatment.
Testimony For: (Appropriations) An investment in treatment is worth the expenditure. Providing treatment along with screening promotes early detection of cancer and can save the state money in the long-run. This bill recognizes the role of early detection of breast and cervical cancer. The Susan G. Komen Foundation commits $400,000 in the first biennium for this purpose.
Testimony Against: (Health Care) None.
Testimony Against: (Appropriations) None.
Testified: (Health Care) (In support) Kevin Knox, American Cancer Society; C. J. Taylor, SG Komen Foundation; Arlene Beaunaux, BCHP client; and Bill Daley, Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
(Support concept) Don Sloma, State Board of Health; and Dr. Maxine Hayes, Department of Health.
Testified: (Appropriations) Representative Ruderman, prime sponsor; Kevin Knox, American Cancer Society; Sally Kirkpatrick, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation; and Vilaska P. Nguyen, Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs.