2001-01-16                     Senate Journal                      Page 0086
SB 38                                                                                             
SENATE BILL NO. 38 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                    
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                               
                                                                                                    
          "An Act relating to a new optional group of persons                                       
          eligible for medical assistance who require treatment                                     
          for breast or cervical cancer; and providing for an                                       
          effective date."                                                                          

2001-01-16                     Senate Journal                      Page 0087
was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce,                                     
Health, Education and Social Services and Finance Committees.                                       
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal information was published today:                                               
 Fiscal Note No. 1,  Department of Health and Social Services                                       
                                                                                                    
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 12:                                                     
                                                                                                    
Dear President Halford:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
This past year, Congress passed legislation to improve health care for                              
women by extending Medicaid coverage for treatment of breast and                                    
cervical cancer. In the interest of improving Alaskans' health care, I                              
am pleased to present this bill that allows the state to take advantage of                          
this worthwhile program.                                                                            
                                                                                                    
By opting into this new Medicaid program, uninsured women who                                       
have been diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer under a federally                                
financed screening program will be eligible for treatment. In Alaska                                
that could mean some 70 women or so per year who could not                                          
otherwise afford cancer treatment may be able to receive care.                                      
                                                                                                    
The federal program began in 1990 when Congress passed the Breast                                   
and Cervical Cancer Mortality Prevention Act establishing the Center                                
for Disease Control's (CDC) national breast and cervical cancer early                               
detection program. The CDC program provides grants for screening                                    
exams to millions of people who meet eligibility guidelines throughout                              
the country each year, including Alaska. The grantees provide clinical                              
breast exams, pelvic exams, and mammograms.                                                         
                                                                                                    
Unfortunately, federal money did not provide for follow-up treatment                                
to any of the uninsured persons diagnosed with cancer - until now.                                  
With last year's Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment                                
Act signed into law, states may select a new Medicaid option to cover                               
cancer treatments of uninsured women diagnosed under the CDC early                                  
detection program.                                                                                  
                                                                                                    
According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 182,800 new                                  
cases of invasive breast cancer and 12,800 new cases of invasive                                    
cervical cancer are expected to occur among women in the United                                     

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States during 2000, resulting in an estimated 45,400 deaths. As a result                            
of the recent congressional action, diagnosed, uninsured, low-income                                
persons can receive the treatment needed to save their lives.  In order                             
to extend this program to Alaska women, I urge your prompt and                                      
favorable action on this legislation.                                                               
                                                                                                    
                                  Sincerely,                                                       
                                 /s/                                                                
                                 Tony Knowles                                                       
                                 Governor