Cancer advocacy group to push for better access to colorectal cancer screenings
The American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network in Rhode Island hopes to persuade state lawmakers to revisit tabled legislation on colorectal cancer screenings.
News
Mary Brogan Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
February 11, 2016
Mary Brogan Breast and Cervical Cancer
Early Detection Program
SUPPORT House Position ($1.8 million)
Background
The Mary Brogan Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program provides lifesaving cancer screenings for medically underserved women between the ages of 50 and 64 whose incomes are below 200% of the federal poverty level. Women diagnosed with cancer through the program are eligible for a special Medicaid program that covers the costs of their treatment.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Florida ranks third in the U.S. in the number of new breast cancer cases per year and second in the number of deaths. An estimated 15,470 Florida women will receive a breast cancer diagnosis and an estimated 2,830 are expected to die from the disease in 2015[i].
Historical Funding
- The 2012-13 Fiscal Year was the first year Florida contributed state general revenue to the program to match the federal dollars:
- $1,236,473 provided for 2,950 additional women to be screened[ii]
- In 2013-14, the legislature appropriated a first ever reoccurring amount of $300,000, which brought total program funding to $1,536,473
- Additional funding provided for 3,198 additional women to be screened[iii]
- For the current Fiscal Year (2015-16), the program received a record amount of state funding - $2.1 million($300,00 recurring; $1.8 million non-recurring)
- Currently, the proposed Senate budget only contains $300,00 for the program, while the House has included the full $1.8 million in non-recurring funds
- ACS CAN is asking that the Senate move to the House position of $1.8 million
Even with the additional state funding, the program is only able to serve 5.7% of the priority population. More than 226,086 women who need these lifesaving screenings are not able to access the program due to funding limitations.