SCLD Update
July 1998

Breast Cancer Detection
Cervical Cancer Detection
Ovarian Cancer Detection
Prostate Cancer Detection
Testicular Cancer Detection
Cancer-General
Genetics
Tobacco-Use Reduction
State-of-the-Art Treatment
Cancer Registries
Occupational Exposure
Erratum
Enacted Legislation and Adopted Resolutions

The Maryland legislature enacted S.B. 643, which prohibits specified private insurers, including HMOs, from reimbursing a health care practitioner in an amount that is less than the cost of the oncology drug covered under the patient's insurance benefits. An exception is made if an insurer provides an alternative mechanism or program for the health care practitioner to obtain the oncology drug. The law takes effect October 1, 1998.

A new law enacted in Massachusetts (H.B. 5190) requires specified group and individual insurers, including group HMO contracts and specified public employee health plans, to provide coverage for expenses for scalp hair prostheses worn for hair loss suffered as a result of the treatment of any form of cancer or leukemia, as long as: (1) such insurers provide for any other prosthesis, (2) the scalp hair prosthesis is medically necessary per a written statement of the treating physician, and (3) the annual coverage does not exceed $350. Coverage is subject to the same limitations and guidelines as other prostheses.

Research

Arizona enacted a law (H.B. 2096) requiring recipients of cancer research grants from the state Disease Control Research Commission to use monies from the Disease Control Research Fund solely for specific cancer research projects.

For a summary of a Florida bill (H.B. 3783) addressing cancer research, see the Tobacco-Use Reduction/Excise Taxes section.

Rhode Island passed a law (H.B. 8728) amending a previous measure relating to the Special Legislative Commission to Study the Feasibility of Establishing a Central Cancer Resource Network ("Commission"). The law now reinstates the Commission until May 2, 1999, and authorizes it to continue its study and make a report to the General Assembly on or before March 2, 1999.

Awareness

Five states--Delaware, Louisiana, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania--adopted resolutions to heighten awareness about cancer. With the adoption of H.R. 84 in Delaware, September 26, 1998, was recognized as the day of "THE MARCH," in memory of the people in the state who have died of cancer. Louisiana's S.C.R. 34 designates April 1998 as Cancer Awareness Month, while Michigan's H.R. 282 proclaims May 30, 1998, as Childhood Cancer Survivors Day.

Oklahoma adopted a resolution (H.R. 1054) related to women's health issues. A summary of this resolution can be found in the Breast Cancer Detection/Awareness section.

Pennsylvania adopted two resolutions. H.R. 427 declared June 1998 as Leukemia Awareness Month, while H.R. 461 designated June 7, 1998, as Cancer Survivors Day.