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2002 SNAPSHOT:
A SUMMARY OF STATE ACTIONS
RELATING TO
THE FEDERAL BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION AND TREATMENT ACT OF 2000

Map updated: July 29, 2002
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

On October 24th, 2000, President William Clinton signed into law the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-354 (PDF-115K)*). This Act gives states the option to provide medical assistance through Medicaid to eligible women who were screened for and found to have breast or cervical cancer, including precancerous conditions, through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP).

NBCCEDP, which is administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), provides free breast and cervical cancer screening and follow-up diagnostic services to women in need, such as those who are uninsured or have low incomes. In 2000, CDC began its 10th year of this landmark program, supporting early detection programs in all 50 states, 6 U.S. territories, the District of Columbia, and 12 American Indian and Alaska Native organizations.

Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), which administers the Medicaid program, and CDC care continue to develop guidance on how to adopt the new Medicaid option. On January 4, 2001, HCFA released a memo to state health officials. The memo, HCFA Guidance on Implementing PL 106-354 contains a form required to revise Medicaid plans to accept the new Medicaid option. HCFA launched a new comprehensive webpage at http://www.hcfa.gov/medicaid/bccpt/default.htm devoted to answering questions and providing guidance on the implementation of the breast and cervical cancer treatment option.

• More than 100 bills have been introduced in state legislatures relating to the act.
• Thirty-two states have enacted legislation relating to the act.
• Forty-four states have had their amendments to their state Medicaid plans approved.

Even with such a flurry of activity, some states are struggling with securing funding for the new program. For many states, budget deficits, primarily due to Medicaid spending, loom large on the horizon. To date, at least Idaho, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas have either delayed implementation or have threatened to eliminate the program as a means of addressing Medicaid shortfalls. Other states, such as Nevada and Washington, are looking to trim their Medicaid budgets elsewhere, while committing to move forward with implementing the treatment program.

In Massachusetts, Governor Jane Swift froze funds earmarked for breast and cervical cancer treatment and other programs because her administration believed that the money was needed for other state services. A sharp drop in tax revenues has found the state in a fiscal crisis. The American Cancer Society and other health activists are suing the administration to restore the funding.

In Kentucky, state lawmakers ended a special session without having a budget. If no budget is in place by July 1, officials fear a delay in the implementation of new health initiatives such as the treatment program.

Below is a chart that summarizes all state actions related to implementing the federal Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act.

STATE ACTIONS

Sources: NCSL Health Policy Tracking Service; Center for Health Services Research and Policy, The George Washington University; Federal Funds Information for the States; National Breast Cancer Coalition.

CONTACT

Stephanie Wasserman, Senior Policy Specialist, Health Care Program

This site is made possible by program award U38/CCU814942-04 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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