Cancer Activists celebrate the anniversary signing of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act

American Cancer Society
Wednesday, 24 October 2001

45 states take action granting women cancer treatment

Today, the American Cancer Society, the nation's leading voluntary health organization, applauded the work of state lawmakers and cancer advocates on the one-year anniversary signing of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act of 2000 (BCCPTA). This bipartisan piece of legislation provides treatment for low-income women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer.

"Two of the strongest weapons in the fight against breast cancer are early detection and early treatment. Thanks to the enactment of this life-saving legislation last year, our nation has greatly improved the ability of low-income women without health insurance to have access to these vital services," said Robert C. Young, MD, President-elect of the American Cancer Society.

"Since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program began in 1990, more than 3 million breast and cervical cancer screening tests have been provided to more than 1.8 million women. In the states which have enacted the program, these women are eligible for Medicaid benefits for the duration of their cancer treatment; we are encouraged by the commitment of our elected federal and state officials have shown to help prevent and treat cancer in our communities."

This year, the American Cancer Society has worked throughout the country to enact state legislation or amend their state Medicaid plans to expand eligibility to uninsured women screened for and diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through the CDC program. Currently, 45 states have taken action to allow for this coverage in their Medicaid plans. Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Tennessee and the District of Columbia are still considering action for this year.

Currently before Congress is the "Native American Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Technical Amendment Act of 2001" (S.535/H.R. 1383). While more Native American women are being diagnosed with the disease because of the screening program, many find themselves ineligible to receive treatment because of a technical error in the Act. As a result, women who are otherwise entitled to treatment through the Indian Health Service or a tribal organization, but are, for some reason, unable to access that treatment, cannot take advantage of treatment available under the program.

"The Society is committed to its passage to ensure that Native American women have the same access to cancer care and treatment they need," Young said.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service.

For more information, or to contact American Cancer Society, see their website at: www.cancer.org