HOUSE BILL NO. 65 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. NANCY WELLER, STATE, FEDERAL & TRIBAL RELATIONS, DIVISION OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, stated that during the 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, the bill would allow the State to take advantage of this program. Ms. Weller stated that by opting into this new Medicaid program, uninsured women who have been diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer under a federally financed screening program, would be eligible for treatment. In Alaska, that could mean some 70 women or so per year, who could not otherwise afford cancer treatment, would be able to receive care. Ms. Weller continued, 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. She noted that 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. The American Cancer Society estimated 182,800 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 12,800 new cases of invasive cervical cancer expected to occur among women in the United States during the year, 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 the program to Alaskan women, she urged the Committee's action on this legislation. Vice-Chair Bunde pointed out the letter received by members from Senator Murkowski, encouraging forward movement of the legislation. In response to Representative Harris' question, Ms. Weller noted that it would be an optional coverage group. Representative Lancaster questioned if the legislation were to be passed, if anyone would be turned away. Ms. Weller replied that there are a certain number of providers that are enrolled in the screening. If a person has insurance, they would not be eligible for Medicaid. KAREN PERDUE, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, commented that the Department supports the bill. She urged that the bill be passed out of Committee. Vice-Chair Bunde MOVED to report CS HB 65 (HES) out of Committee with individual recommendations and with the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CS HB 65 (HES) was reported out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with a fiscal note #1 by Department of Health & Social Services dated 1/16/01.