HHS Grants Nevada Waiver to Extend Medicaid Benefits to Women With Breast, Cervical Cancer
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson on Aug. 14 approved Nevada's request to provide Medicaid benefits to uninsured women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through a CDC screening program, the Las Vegas Sun reports (Ryan, Las Vegas Sun, 8/14). Under the federal Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act, which was signed into law in October 2000, states can apply for waivers to expand their Medicaid programs to include uninsured women under age 65 who have breast or cervical cancer (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 1/5/2001). To qualify for treatment, women must be diagnosed through the CDC's National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program and must be ineligible for Medicaid and without health insurance. Patients receive Medicaid benefits for the duration of their treatment. States receive a federal match of up to 85% of the cost of treatment (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 12/7/01). The Nevada program will cost $3.2 million in the first fiscal year, with Nevada contributing $1.1 million of that amount. Nevada is the 44th state to receive such a waiver for breast and cervical cancer treatment (Las Vegas Sun, 8/14).
This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.
