Health Policy

Working to get preventive services covered for more women

Cervical cancer prevention is possible.

PATH (Policy Advisory Toward Health) for women continues to serve as a resource for Oregon Women’s Health and Wellness Alliance, a bipartisan group of legislators, health care personnel, state and local agency staff and citizen advocates dedicated to promoting the health, safety and economic well being of women.

Positive steps forward through legislation

We are encouraging legislation that makes it easer for women to get the preventive help they need.

2009 Legislative Session

The HPV Vaccine Bill (House Bill 2794) requires state-regulated health insurance programs to cover Gardasil for female beneficiaries and seeks to ensure that any new insurance programs include coverage. Gardasil is a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine that protects against about 70% of the HPV strains that are linked to cervical cancer.
STATUS: Passed April 15, 2009

The Cancer Prevention and Treatment Bill (State Bill 892) increases the number of women screened by the Oregon Breast and Cervical Cancer Program.
STATUS: State bills 891 and 892 have passed the House and Senate and are contingent upon budget decisions to be made in the Ways and Means Committee.

2005 Legislative Session

Basic Women’s Health Care Package (Bills SB 872, HB 2407, HB 2497, HB 2498) Continues existing health insurance requirements for cervical and breast cancer screening, as well as, pregnancy coverage which were set to expire in 2005.s year. This legislation covers all health service contractors and insurers that sell coverage in Oregon. Prohibits insurance plans from excluding coverage for mammograms, clinical breast exams, Pap smears, pelvic exams and pregnancy.
STATUS: The mammogram and Pap smear requirements were originally passed in 1993 and again in 1999. The pregnancy coverage mandate was passed in 1999.