November 16, 2009, the US Preventive Services Task Force reversed breast cancer screening recommendations which sparked nationwide outrage. I was among the thousands of women who came forward to talk about the importance of early detection after having been diagnosed with breast cancer while in our 40’s.
Two days following the USPSTF announcement, Chuck Poizner, Insurance Commissioner made an announcement to clarify that state law continues to require insurance coverage for breast cancer screening. State insurance code currently dictates "that women age 35 to 39 are entitled to a baseline mammogram. Women age 40 to 49 can get a mammogram every two years, or more frequently if their physician recommends it, and women 50 and older are to be provided a mammogram every year".
Less than a month later, the State of California Department of Public Health announced significant cuts to its Every Woman Counts program, effectively shutting the doors to breast cancer screening services for low-income and uninsured women for the first six months of 2010. Citing budgetary concerns, the state also announced that once they begin screening new patients this summer, only women age 50 and above will be eligible – significantly reducing the number of women in the state that will have access to affordable breast cancer screenings. All seven Komen Affiliates in California are actively working with members of the State Assembly and other members of the public health community to bring attention to these cuts and to work toward getting the services restored.
To explain budgetary concerns, revenue has declined from the Tobacco Tax fund and there has been increasing demand for breast cancer screening. Why the increase in demand? Breast self- awareness education and rising unemployment (currently at 16% in Fresno County). Many of those who once had private insurance through their employer cannot afford COBRA plans.
Effective January 1, 2010: Women who were once eligible for breast cancer screening age 40-49 are no longer eligible. Women age 50 and older must wait to enroll in the Every Woman Counts program due to services being suspended until July 1, 2010.
All seven Komen Affiliates in California are actively working with members of the State Assembly and other members of the public health community to bring attention to these cuts and to work toward getting the services restored.
