Prospects Uncertain For Calif. Breast, Cervical; Cancer Screening Program

California's ongoing budget crisis is raising doubts about the viability of the state's Every Woman Counts breast and cervical cancer screening program for low-income women, the San Jose Mercury News reports (Theriault, San Jose Mercury News, 7/10).

The state stopped paying for the screenings July 1, when the new fiscal year began, because the state budget had not been enacted, according to the Mercury News. Some county-level agencies that coordinate the program have shut down or are considering furloughs. In an effort to operate the program on a reduced budget, California officials in January imposed a six-month ban on new enrollment in the program and increased the qualifying age from 40 to 50. Officials had hoped to end the restrictions by June 30. However, the program's services were reliant on the Legislature reaching a budget deal by July, which has not yet happened (Women's Health Policy Report, 6/30).

Advocates are concerned that thousands of women could be turned away if no budget deal is reached. The economic downturn has increased demand for the no-cost screenings, and advocates say many women are unsure whether they will be able to obtain care. Miesha Hardy -- a spokesperson for the Community Health Partnership, which serves three California counties -- said more than 4,500 women from Santa Clara County have been enrolled in the program since 2009. "This will have dire consequences for women across the state," Hardy said.

State lawmakers have introduced a bill (AB 1640) designed to operate the program more efficiently. The legislation aims to increase oversight of the program and restore eligibility to women ages 40 and older. In addition, the bill would require the state Department of Public Health to provide 90 days' notice about any changes to the program. Although the Senate Health Committee unanimously approved the bill last month, lawmakers might opt to shelve the measure to keep state spending down.

Department of Public Health officials said they are working to cut costs and reopen enrollment in the program by offering mammograms less often and reducing the reimbursement rates for negative tests, which usually require less follow-up care, according to the Mercury News. Even with such changes, funding for the program would be $41.6 million for fiscal 2010, about $14 million short of the $55 million needed to reopen enrollment and maintain annual screening services, the Mercury News reports (San Jose Mercury News, 7/10).


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