§ 63-1-556. Contract review and recommendation.

A.  The State Department of Health, giving consideration to the recommendations of the Advancement of Wellness Advisory Council created in Section 44 of this act, shall be responsible for evaluating and reporting to the Governor and the State Commissioner of Health regarding contracting for statewide services or issues related to breast cancer including, but not limited to:

1.  Mammography and pap smear screening of women for breast and cervical cancer as an early detection health care measure, provided by facilities which are accredited by national organizations that have formed coalitions to issue national cancer screening guidelines;

2.  Medical referral of screened persons with abnormal breast findings and, to the extent practical, for additional services or assistance for such persons;

3.  Education and training programs for health care professionals to improve methods for the detection and control of breast and cervical cancer, and to improve communication with breast and cervical cancer patients after diagnosis;

4.  Annual public education and awareness campaigns to improve the knowledge and health care practices of all Oklahomans with respect to breast and cervical cancer;

5.  Epidemiological trend studies utilizing the data from the Oklahoma Central Cancer Registry for incidence, prevalence and survival of breast and cervical cancer victims; and

6.  Outreach to groups with high proportions of uninsured and underinsured women.

B.  The evaluative efforts of the Advisory Committee with respect to contracts for services specified in subsection A of this section shall provide appropriate oversight and requirements that result in:

1.  Enhanced quality control standards within facilities which perform diagnostic cancer screening for breast and cervical cancer; and

2.  Establishment of a fee schedule for breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnosis that complies with accepted Medicare/Medicaid rates and that incorporates a sliding fee payment system to encourage self-responsibility.

C.  The State Department of Health, giving consideration to the recommendations of the Advancement of Wellness Advisory Council created in Section 44 of this act, shall report annually to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the State Board of Health by October 1 of each year, activities completed pursuant to the Oklahoma Breast and Cervical Cancer Act during the prior fiscal year, including a report of the funding for related activities.  The report shall identify populations at highest risk for breast or cervical cancer, priority strategies, and emerging technologies, including newly introduced therapies and preventive vaccines that are effective in preventing and controlling the risk of breast and cervical cancer, and any recommendations for additional funding, if necessary, to provide screenings and treatment for breast and cervical cancer for uninsured and underinsured women.  The report shall further recommend strategies or actions to reduce the costs of breast and cervical cancer in the State of Oklahoma.

D.  The Advancement of Wellness Advisory Council shall evaluate the prospective termination or continuation of its ongoing duties on October 1, 2008.  Such evaluation shall be made based on the successful implementation of breast and cervical cancer reduction plans and/or achievement of significant reductions in breast and cervical cancer morbidity and mortality in the State of Oklahoma.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 288, § 4, eff. July 1, 1994.  Amended by Laws 1996, c. 143, § 1, emerg. eff. May 7, 1996; Laws 1998, c. 210, § 4, eff. July 1, 1998.  Renumbered from § 5060.9c of Title 74 by Laws 1998, c. 210, § 9, eff. July 1, 1998.  Amended by Laws 2001, c. 411, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2001; Laws 2004, c. 219, § 3, emerg. eff. May 4, 2004; Laws 2013, c. 229, § 55, eff. Nov. 1, 2013.