Save Ourselves - Advocacy

State Legislation

State Budget Update:
Breast Cancer Program Funding Reduced
By Terri Cowger, Save Ourselves Board Secretary and Owner, Cowger & Associates Legislative Advocacy & Consulting

Breast Cancer Early Detection Program (Screens):
The Breast Cancer Early Detection Program is funded with tobacco tax proceeds. Because Californians continue to use fewer tobacco products each year, the estimated revenues for 2003-04 will decline by $15.2 million. In 2004-05, total resources for tobacco tax-funded programs will be $36.5 million below the 2003 Budget Act level, or $323.1 million. Specifically, the Governor’s proposed State Budget is estimating that the Breast Cancer Early Detection Program will be reduced by $6.1 million. This reduction will result in about 39,927 women not receiving breast cancer screenings and diagnostic services.

Quote from article "...the Governor's proposed State Budget is estimating..."

Cap on Enrollment for the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Services Program:
The Governor’s proposed State Budget also plans to “cap” enrollment for “state only” Medi-Cal program services including the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Services (BCCT) Program for undocumented individuals. Proposed savings are $1.8 million General Fund by capping enrollment in the BCCT. This proposal would basically cut people off of this important program by placing them on waiting lists.

Breast Cancer Treatment – Move Counties?
The Governor also proposed to shift the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program eligibility determinations and re-determinations from the State to the Counties effective January 1, 2005. This proposal is controversial, and will most likely opposed by breast cancer advocacy groups. Save Ourselves Board will be monitoring the funding for these programs and will be voting to take positions on these proposals at their upcoming Board of Directors Meeting. Questions or concerns? Call Terri Cowger at: 916/446-9103.