Prospects Uncertain for Bill To Bolster Mammogram Program
California's ongoing budget crisis is raising doubts about the viability of a bill (AB 1640) designed to shore up the state's Every Woman Counts breast cancer screening program for low-income women. The legislation aims to increase oversight of the program and lower the minimum age for participants from 50 to 40. In addition, the bill would require the Department of Public Health to provide 90 days of advance notice about any changes to the program. Although the Senate Health Committee unanimously approved the measure last month, lawmakers might opt to shelve it to keep state spending down.
- "Mammograms for Thousands of Low-Income Women Held Up in California Budget Fight" (Theriault, San Jose Mercury News, 7/10).