For Immediate Release:
April 1, 2004
Senator Debbe Leftwich
Senate to Vote on Breast/Cervical Cancer Treatment Bill
Senator Debbe
Leftwich said she is hopeful the full Senate will support
her efforts to ensure all Oklahoma women have access to
breast and cervical cancer treatment. House Bill 2552 won
approval by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday.
“The American Cancer Society has a map of the United
States showing all the states that provide breast and cervical
cancer treatment to women who are under-insured or have
no insurance. Oklahoma is the only state that offers no
such program,” said Senator Leftwich, D-OKC.
Senator Leftwich hopes to change that with the passage of
HB 2552. The measure would create a revolving fund that
would help capture four-to-one federal matching dollars.
Gov. Brad Henry proposed a $2.5 million appropriation in
his executive budget to help pay for the program. First
Lady Kim Henry has also publicly supported the measure.
“Of course, the key here is securing the funding.
But I can tell you right now, it is far less expensive to
treat breast and cervical cancer when it is diagnosed in
its early stages. If these women know they can have access
to health care, they’re more likely to seek it sooner,”
said Senator Leftwich.
“Every year, more than 2,700 Oklahoma women are diagnosed
with breast or cervical cancer. We rank 14th in the nation
in the annual number of cancer related deaths. Make no mistake,
this is not just a women’s health issue. When someone’s
wife, daughter, sister or mother is diagnosed with cancer,
it impacts everyone around them. This is a health problem
facing our entire state—it’s a family issue
that we must address,” said Senator Leftwich.
Senator Leftwich said she expected the full Senate to vote
on HB 2552 within the next two to three weeks.
For
more information contact:
Senate
Communications Office - (405) 521-5774
