Alaska, Oklahoma to Expand Eligibility for Medicaid Coverage for Women’s Health Issues
Alaska Gov. Tony Knowles (D) on June 25 signed a bill (HB 65) to provide coverage of breast and cervical cancer treatments to certain uninsured low-income women who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, the AP/Anchorage Daily News reports (Brown, AP/Anchorage Daily News, 6/26). Under the Breast and Cervical Cancer Act of 2000, signed by former President Clinton, states can offer uninsured patients with incomes up to 250% of the federal poverty level, or $44,125 for a family of four, treatment for the two cancers through Medicaid. Medicaid covers the costs of any surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, follow-up care and medication for patients whose condition is discovered through a free screening program operated by the CDC. The CDC has offered free screenings since 1990 at health centers, clinics and hospitals through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, but previously the costs of treatment were not covered (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 1/5). The program, expected to cost Alaska $175,000 a year, will cover "about 40 women" annually, Knowles said. He added that next year he plans to "ask the Legislature to remove a sunset provision" that ends the coverage in two years (AP/Anchorage Daily News, 6/26).
Mammogram Coverage in Oklahoma
Meanwhile, an Oklahoma law (SB 711) that authorizes additional Medicaid funds to cover "mammograms once a year for women, beginning at age 40, and every five years between 35 and 40" will take effect on July 1, the Daily Oklahoman reports. The new law also requires insurers to provide mammogram coverage under the same age guidelines as Medicaid (Greiner, Daily Oklahoman, 6/26).
