| SENATOR DIANE ROSENBAUM SENATE MAJORITY LEADER State Capitol
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Press Advisory
May 23, 2011
CONTACT: Molly Woon (503) 986-1074
Bill expanding access to cervical and breast cancer treatment scheduled for public hearing this afternoon
Senators Rosenbaum, Verger, and Bates will testify in support of SB 433
SALEM – The Ways and Means Subcommittee on General Government will hold a public hearing on a priority bill of the Women’s Health and Wellness Alliance this afternoon. SB 433 will expand eligibility of women for treatment of breast and cervical cancer if they are diagnosed through a health care provider outside of the Oregon Breast and Cancer Program (OBCCP).
Currently, the policy of the Oregon Department of Human Services is to allow only women who are diagnosed through an OBCCP provider to obtain treatment for their breast or cervical cancer. There are additional women who meet the income and age requirements of this program, but if they are diagnosed through a non-OBCCP provider, are not eligible for treatment.
“Closing this loophole will provide life-saving treatment for hundreds of low-income women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer,” said Senate Majority Leader Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland), chief sponsor of the bill and a breast cancer survivor. “Early detection and treatment are crucial for a cancer patient’s survival. With the passage of Senate Bill 433 we can ensure that low-income women who are diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer outside of the OBCCP have an avenue for treatment.”
Rosenbaum will be joined in her testimony this afternoon by Senator Alan Bates (D-Medford), a practicing physician, Senator Joanne Verger (D-District 5), a breast cancer survivor, and Chris McDonald from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization.
WHAT: Public hearing on SB 433, expanding treatment eligibility for breast and cervical cancer
WHO: Senate Majority Leader Diane Rosenbaum, Senator Joanne Verger, Senator Alan Bates, and Chris McDonald with Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
WHEN: Monday, May 23, 2011 at 3:00 PM
WHERE: Hearing Room H-174, Oregon State Capitol, Salem OR (Watch live here).
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For more information on the Senate Majority Caucus, please visit oregonsenatedemocrats.com