March 10, 2005
Thursday

Juneau, Alaska - Gov. Frank H. Murkowski, First Lady Nancy Murkowski and Alaska Health and Social Services Commissioner Joel Gilbertson spoke Wednesday at a rally on the steps of the Capitol Building in support of the Alaska Breast and Cervical Cancer Health Check program funding.

"Breast and cervical cancer are killers that are, fortunately, treatable with early detection," said Gov. Murkowski. "This program has provided a real service to Alaska women who otherwise could not afford to get the early screening that could save their lives."

The Alaska Breast and Cervical Cancer Health Check program provides breast and cervical cancer screening to uninsured or underinsured women between the ages of 18-64 who meet certain income guidelines. The governor is asking for $1.8 million in additional funding to expand screening by an estimated 3,000 more women each year.

"The funding increase is needed to meet the growing need by Alaska women for these services - and detection is key to helping women remain healthy," said Gilbertson.

Since 1995, the program has provided more than 60,000 breast and cervical cancer screenings to about 22,000 medically underserved Alaskan women. More than 145 cases of breast cancer and 23 cases of cervical cancer have been diagnosed.

"The fact is that this program has saved lives, and these cancers can be treated with early detection," Gilbertson said.

The program screens about 6,200 women for breast and cervical cancer. The number of women screened in FY04 increased by nearly 1,200 from the previous fiscal year, according to the department.

If approved by the Legislature, early detection and screening for breast cancer and cervical cancer efforts would reach an estimated 9,200 women in the next fiscal year.

Issues:

• The number of Alaskan women screened for breast and cervical cancer in FY04 increased by nearly 1,200 from FY03 to FY04.
• Currently, prevention services are unavailable in many rural areas of the state.
• The projected cost to provide screening and diagnostic services in FY06 and FY07 is $350 per person.
• The Alaska Breast and Cervical Cancer Health Check program provides screening to women age 18 to 64 who:
  • Meet certain income guidelines.
  • Income eligibility varies depending upon family size. For a family of one, monthly income is capped at $2,423. A complete list of income eligibility guidelines can be found at http://health.state.ak.us/dhcs/bchc/about/about_qualify.htm
  • Who do not have insurance.
  • Cannot meet their deductible.
  • Whose insurance does not pay for Breast and Cervical Cancer Health Check services.
• Screening providers throughout the state provide services to over 6,000 women each year.
  • Breast and Cervical Cancer Health Check providers offer clinical breast exams, pelvic exams, and Pap tests to women age 18 to 64 and screening mammograms for women age 50 to 64.
  • Over 145 cases of breast cancer and 23 cases of cervical cancer have been diagnosed since the program began, and since the initiation of the Medicaid treatment program in 2001, at least 68 women received assistance for breast cancer treatment.

FY06 Proposal:

• Adds $1.8 million in general fund spending to the program for FY06.
• Increases the number of women served in the program by up to 3,000 over two years, bringing the total number of women served per year to 9,200.
• These additional funds will significantly increase funding for screening and diagnostic services, outreach and additional staffing.
  
  

Source of News & Photos:

Office of the Governor
Web Site

 

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