New Mexico Supports Cancer Screening for Uninsured Women
Submission Date: December 2009
State/Territory Submitted on the Behalf of: New Mexico
States/Territories Involved: New Mexico
Domain Addressed:Community-Clinical Linkages
Public Health Issue:- A screening mammogram is the most effective method for detecting early-stage breast cancer and a regular Pap test is the most effective method for preventing cervical cancer
- Many New Mexican women live in poverty and over one fourth of them report that they have no healthcare coverage, significantly limiting their access to diagnosis and treatment services for breast and cervical cancer.
- The New Mexico Department of Health Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program is funded at a level sufficient to serve only ten to fifteen percent of eligible women with funds supplied by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the state general fund, and an American Cancer Society grant.
- Because of a specific Medicaid requirement related to federal funding, some women screened using state funds would not be eligible for treatment paid for by Medicaid in the event they were diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer. At the same time, state funds were restricted to direct screening costs and could not be used for administrative costs.
- The New Mexico Department of Health Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program worked with American Cancer Society advocates and community partners to secure additional state general funds which the legislature permitted them to use to cover a portion of the administrative costs associated with the Program in order to free federal dollars for screening.
- Women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer – previously not eligible for Medicaid treatment because they had not been screened using federal dollars – are now able to receive vital treatment because state action freed up federal dollars for screening allowing them to maintain their eligibility under Medicaid.
- This cost shifting allows the New Mexico Department of Health Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program to serve an additional 4,549 eligible women this year. With this enhanced provision of services, potentially 40 breast tumors and 54 invasive cervical cancers or pre-cancerous cervical conditions can be diagnosed among these women and necessary treatment can begin.
Cancer, Health Equity and Cultural Competency
State Contact Information:
NM
Gena Love
New Mexico Department of Health
505-541-5859
gena.love@state.nm.us