WARNING: This diary is written on behalf of breast & cervical cancer survivors, past, present and future. Because it places the interests of breast & cervical cancer patients first and foremost, it is a non-partisan diary.
It is written by a breast cancer survivor of 12 years who is a pro-choice feminist and cancer activist trained in cancer research, health care delivery and public policy.
We've heard a great deal in recent days about the potential loss of funds for women's cancer screening if Planned Parenthood is defunded.
Because women's lives are important,
Because these cancers are fatal if women delay or do not receive treatment,
Because over 207,000 US women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year (cervical-
and nearly 40,000 will die from it,
Because women are 40% more likely to die from these cancers if they're uninsured,
Our government has placed a priority on reducing cancer deaths by providing some funding for screening for these cancers and a smidgen to provide treatment.
How does the federal government administer funds for free breast & cervical cancer screenings to uninsured women?
The federal government funds the Center For Disease Control's Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. The CDC provides annual grants to states to pay for cancer screenings. Each state authorizes screening providers (including Planned Parenthood) and reimburses them for the cost of screening and diagnostic services to uninsured women age 50-64.
What if they're diagnosed with cancer? In 2000, Bill Clinton signed a bill to authorize Medicaid coverage for any woman diagnosed through the BCCEDP. In most states, that means some part of your screening or diagnostic services must be paid with CDC funds.
Is the BCCEDP adequately funded to cover all women who need it?
Oh, hell no. You probably knew the answer to that one.
Has the GOP cut the CDC's budget including funding for the BCCEDP? Yes. The GOP's House budget bill cuts the CDC's funding for all programs by $1.3 billion.
How does Planned Parenthood pay for breast exams and PAP tests?
They are funded primarily by the CDC's BCCEDP program. Planned Parenthood only provides a small percentage of breast & cervical cancer screening through the CDC program. In our state, PP is not a provider at all.
Which federal program provides the most cancer screening for women? The CDC's program provides most screening for uninsured women. It also provides Medicaid coverage and gathers data for demographic and scientific research.
What part of Planned Parenthood's federal funding goes to provide breast & cervical cancer screening? Probably very little. It probably supports the screening efforts by covering operating costs, for its centers. In most states, any woman who is diagnosed with either cancer and not enrolled in the CDC program will not be eligible for Medicaid coverage.
If a choice has to be made, which group should receive full funding - the CDC or Planned Parenthood? Both programs need funding, but no one is pushing to restore the CDC's funding for cancer screening. If the CDC's BCCPEDP program funding is cut, it will be a major problem for cancer screening programs. Even with full funding, Planned Parenthood will have little impact on making up the difference, since little of their federal funds are actually spent on cancer screening, aren't even required to be spent on cancer screening. The CDC's BCCEDP program is much larger, more comprehensive, covers millions more women and provides them with treatment if diagnosed.
On the positive side, the PPACA health care reform bill will eventually make programs like Planned Parenthood's and the CDC's obsolete. I look forward to that day. Currently, private insurance plans are required to cover breast & cervical cancer screening (among other preventive services) without co-pays or deductibles. In 2014, everyone earning up to 130% of FPL will be enrolled in Medicaid - a move which will cover most of the uninsured women for cancer screening and treatment. Community-based health clinics will probably pick up most routine cancer screening services not handled by hospitals, they're better qualified to do so.
Bottom Line: To protect programs for breast & cervical cancer screening, the CDC needs full funding of its budget. Funding for Planned Parenthood is important and should be continued, but it is not crucial to women's cancer screening programs.
Speaking on behalf of breast & cervical cancer patients and those at risk, full funding for the CDC's BCCEDP program is most important.
And next time, please take the "pink ribbon drama" out of the debate over PP funding.
So ends the position statement on this issue. Flame away.