FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Eduardo Martinez
December 9, 2008 (916) 319-2044

Portantino, OBGYNs Work Together to Modernize Detection Coverage for Breast Cancer
A decades-old policy on insurance coverage relies on outdated and incomplete scientific information that leaves many
women without coverage for critical breast cancer screenings

SACRAMENTO, CA – Women will benefit from up-to-date breast cancer screenings and increased insurance
coverage under legislation proposed by Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) and
sponsored by the California Chapter of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Under current law,
preferred provider organizations (PPOs) are only required to provide mammograms for women 35 and older. In
addition, existing law does not require PPOs to account for the latest information on known “risk factors.” These risk
factors make women much more likely to develop breast cancer earlier than at age 35. Under AB 56, doctors would
be afforded the latitude to use known risk factors, rather than age alone, to determine if a woman should receive
cancer screening tests. Insurance companies would also be required to send all female policyholders information on
nationally accepted guidelines for breast cancer screenings and notify women who are eligible for testing.

“Twenty years ago, California responded to a growing body of science by mandating that health insurance companies
cover breast cancer screenings starting at age 35,” said Portantino. “Science and technology has advanced over the
years, but one fact that remains unchanged is that early detection of breast cancer is the key to saving lives. Because
of that, I’ve introduced AB 56 which will update our laws with widely accepted national guidelines that remove age
as the deciding factor for diagnosis. Every year, 21,000 California women are diagnosed with breast cancer resulting
in 4,200 deaths – the women of California deserve updated information and the ability to receive the most modern
diagnosis,” Portantino.

Under current law, PPOs are required to pay for a “baseline mammogram” when the insured reaches the age of 35. At
age 40, an insured is eligible for a mammogram every other year until age 50, at which point mammograms are to be
paid for every year. While these provisions were previously believed to be sufficient protection for women, recent
scientific studies reveal that at least nine categories of women are at “extreme risk” for developing breast cancer at an
earlier age and yet can legally be denied a breast cancer screening by their PPO insurance. These categories include
women with a personal history of breast cancer, women with multiple relatives who have breast cancer, and women
who have had radiation exposure to the chest between the ages of 10 and 30. AB 56 would require insurers to pay for
the diagnosis of women regardless of their age if they are subject to one of these risks.

AB 56 is currently undergoing a health benefits mandate review by the California Health Benefits Review Program,
as required by law. It is expected to be heard by the Assembly Health Committee in late January or early February.