BILL ANALYSIS
AB 359
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CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 359 (Nava)
As Amended September 4, 2009
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |77-1 |(June 2, 2009) |SENATE: |40-0 |(September 10, |
| | | | | |2009) |
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Original Committee Reference: HEALTH
SUMMARY : Requires the Department of Public Health (DPH) Every
Woman Counts (EWC) Program, until January 1, 2014, to reimburse
for digital mammography screening at the Medi-Cal reimbursement
rate for analog mammography, and allows a EWC provider to
provide digital mammography when analog mammography services are
not available.
The Senate amendments correct a drafting error to make this bill
applicable only to the EWC program and make other minor,
technical corrections to statute.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Creates, under federal law, the National Breast and Cervical
Cancer Early Detection Program and authorizes the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention to administer grants to states
for screening services for eligible underserved women, age 40
years and older.
2)Requires DPH to provide for breast and cervical cancer
screening services under the grant in 1) above, at the level
of funding budgeted from state and other resources during the
fiscal year in which the Legislature has appropriated funds
for this purpose. These screenings are provided under the EWC
Program and are not deemed an entitlement. Provides that
analog, but not digital, mammography is covered by the EWC
Program. Sets EWC provider reimbursement rates at the same
level as Medi-Cal reimbursement rates.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill was substantially similar
to the version passed by the Senate.
AB 359
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FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Senate Appropriations
Committee, increased provider claims cost pressure of an unknown
amount, potentially in the tens of millions of dollars in
federal and special funds, due to increased access to
mammograms, as well as cost pressure of an unknown amount,
potentially in the hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars
to the General Fund and special funds, to treat additional
beneficiaries referred by EWC.
Analysis Prepared by : Allegra Kim / HEALTH / (916) 319-2097
FN: 0003087