Health care programs: cancer.

Existing law requires the State Department of Health Care Services to perform various health functions, including providing breast and cervical cancer screening and treatment for low-income individuals. Existing law defines "period of coverage" as beginning when an individual is made eligible for a covered condition and not to exceed 18 or 24 months, respectively, for a diagnosis of breast cancer or a diagnosis of cervical cancer. This bill would provide that an individual of any age who is symptomatic, as defined, or an individual whose age is within the age range for routine breast cancer screening, as specified, and who meets all other eligibility requirements is eligible for breast cancer screening and diagnostic services pursuant to these provisions. The bill would also provide that if an individual is diagnosed with a reoccurrence of breast cancer or cervical cancer, whether at the original cancer site or a different cancer site, and meets all other applicable eligibility requirements, the individual shall be eligible for an additional period of treatment coverage, as described above.