2001-01-16                     House Journal                      Page 0099
HB 65                                                                                             
HOUSE BILL NO. 65 by the House 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."                                                  
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education & Social                              
Services and Finance Committees.                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
1.  Fiscal, Dept. of Health & Social Services                                                       
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 12, 2001, appears                                   
below:                                                                                              
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Porter:                                                                               
                                                                                                    
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.                                                                            

2001-01-16                     House Journal                      Page 0100
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                                     
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"