FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 5, 2000

BREAUX: SENATE OK'S BILL TO HELP WOMEN FIGHT BREAST & CERVICAL CANCER <3> Sen. John Breaux (D-La.) commended the Senate for its vote late last night to establish more treatment options for uninsured, low-income women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer. In 1990, the Congress developed the Early Detection Program to allow low-income women to have early detection tests done locally through a federally funded screening program with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Sen. Breaux said he became a cosponsor of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act, S. 662, because little has been done in the past 10 years to ensure low-income women can receive quality treatment at an affordable rate. "Early detection is pointless if we do not also help low-income women receive follow-up treatments," said Sen. Breaux. "It is appropriate this bill passed in October because this is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month-- no better tribute to those who suffer from this dreadful disease." The Senate version of the bill provides states with a funding match equal to the match for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), generally 15 percent higher than the state's average Medicaid matching rate. The program would begin on Oct. 1, 2000, unlike the House of Representatives' version that would begin one year later in October of 2001. Sen. Breaux has long supported legislation that protects the health of all Americans. He has fought to increase the understanding and early detection of colorectal cancer. He has been instrumental in many recent Medicare, Medicaid and health care reform legislative victories. Through his role as the ranking member of the Senate Aging Committee, Sen. Breaux has supported legislation to reduce the deterioration of nursing home care, and improvement of kidney dialysis services.