Breast and cervical cancer early detection and treatment referral program

(a) For purposes of this section: (1) “Breast cancer screening and referral services” means necessary breast cancer screening services and referral services for a procedure intended to treat cancer of the human breast, including, but not limited to, surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and related medical follow-up services. (2) “Cervical cancer screening and referral services” means necessary cervical cancer screening services and referral services for a procedure intended to treat cancer of the human cervix, including, but not limited to, surgery, radiation therapy, cryotherapy, electrocoagulation and related medical follow-up services. (3) “Tomosynthesis” means a digital x-ray mammogram that creates two-dimensional and three-dimensional images of the breasts. (4) “Unserved or underserved populations” means women who are: (A) At or below two hundred fifty per cent of the federal poverty level for individuals; (B) without health insurance that covers breast cancer screening mammography or cervical cancer screening services; and (C) twenty-one to sixty-four years of age. (b) There is established, within existing appropriations, a breast and cervical cancer early detection and treatment referral program, within the Department of Public Health, to (1) promote screening, detection and treatment of breast cancer and cervical cancer among unserved or underserved populations, while giving priority consideration to women in minority communities who exhibit higher rates of breast cancer and cervical cancer than the general population, (2) educate the public regarding breast cancer and cervical cancer and the benefits of early detection, and (3) provide counseling and referral services for treatment. (c) The program shall include, but not be limited to: (1) Establishment of a public education and outreach initiative to publicize breast cancer and cervical cancer early detection services and the extent of coverage for such services by health insurance; the benefits of early detection of breast cancer and the recommended frequency of screening services, including clinical breast examinations and mammography, which shall include, where possible, tomosynthesis; and the medical assistance program and other public and private programs and the benefits of early detection of cervical cancer and the recommended frequency of pap tests and tests for human papillomavirus; (2) Development of professional education programs, including the benefits of early detection of breast cancer and the recommended frequency of mammography and the benefits of early detection of cervical cancer and the recommended frequency of pap tests and tests for human papillomavirus; (3) Establishment of a system to track and follow up on all women screened for breast cancer and cervical cancer in the program. The system shall include, but not be limited to, follow-up of abnormal screening tests and referral to treatment when needed and tracking women to be screened at recommended screening intervals; (4) Assurance that all participating providers of breast cancer and cervical cancer screening are in compliance with national and state quality assurance legislative mandates. (d) The Department of Public Health shall provide unserved or underserved populations, while giving priority consideration to women in minority communities who exhibit higher rates of breast cancer and cervical cancer than the general population, within existing appropriations and through contracts with health care providers: (1) (A) Clinical breast examinations, (B) screening mammograms, which shall include, where possible, tomosynthesis, (C) pap tests, and (D) tests for human papillomavirus, as recommended in the most current breast and cervical cancer screening guidelines established by the United States Preventive Services Task Force, for the woman's age and medical history; and (2) a pap test every six months for women who have tested HIV positive.