Session: State Capitol, Room 125 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Phone: (907) 465-6600 Fax: (907) 465-3805 Interim: 600 E. Railroad Ave. Wasilla, AK 99654-7035 Phone: (907) 376-3370 Fax: (907) 376-3157

HESS OKs Cancer Treatment

(JUNEAU) - The Senate Health, Education and Social Services Committee passed out a bill today to allow medial treatment for women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer who are not covered under insurance or Medicaid.

"I think we can all agree that it is a tragedy for someone to be diagnosed with cancer and not have the resources to seek treatment," said Sen. Lyda Green (R-Matanuska-Susitna), chair of the Health, Education and Social Services Committee. "But our committee had grave concerns about creating a new Medicaid program at a time when state revenues are declining and the costs for the current program are increasing by about 9 percent a year."

In addition to covering treatment costs for eligible program participants, the committee substitute for House Bill 65:

• Requires the Department of Health and Social Services to provide a report to the Legislature detailing environmental, behavioral and genetic factors that have been linked to breast and cervical cancer, as well as recommendations regarding behavioral actions that may reduce the occurrence or likelihood of these types of cancer
• Requires the department's Division of Medical Assistance, which oversees the Medicaid Program, to report to the Legislature information on the individual cost of treatment for these cancers
• Makes the program a two-year pilot program subject to review by the Legislature in 2003

"By setting out a specific time when the program will be reviewed and requiring the department to provide the specified reports, we were able to gain the committees support," said Green. "Not only are we guaranteeing that the program will be evaluated to determine its effectiveness before it becomes a permanent entitlement under Alaska's Medicaid System, but we are ensuring that the Legislature will have the best possible information to make that evaluation."

HB 65 moves next to the Senate Finance Committee.

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