[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 47 (Thursday, April 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E579]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        SUPPORTING THE BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER TREATMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. PAUL RYAN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 13, 2000

  Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I am here today to speak in 
support of H.R. 1070, the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act. I 
believe this bill, which provides coverage for low-income women who 
have been diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer, provides a logical 
expansion of early detection efforts throughout the nation.
  The federal government, through the Center for Disease Control and 
Prevention, currently provides screening for early detection of breast 
and cervical cancer. This bill would provide the next step by giving 
states the option of receiving an enhanced match through Medicaid if 
they choose to offer treatment services for women who have been 
diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer during the screening process.
  As a member of the House Budget Committee, I offered an amendment, 
which was accepted, to provide funding for these services in the 
Medicaid program. Now that this funding has been set aside, it is time 
to bring H.R. 1070 to the floor. The principles of this bill have been 
agreed to in the budget, and it is now time to bring the actual bill to 
the floor for a vote.
  I urge the House to consider this bill before Mother's Day as a 
statement of our sincere commitment to the millions of women in this 
country who suffer from these diseases.

                          ____________________