State Delays Changes To Cancer Screening Program For Low-Income Women

The state has delayed changes to the Wisconsin Well Woman Program (WWWP) by one year after the original plan for restructuring the program, which provides free cancer screenings for low-income women, drew criticism.

Each the state’s 72 counties currently have a coordinating agency under the WWWP for breast and cervical cancer screenings. In a story first reported by WisPolitics, as few as five local coordinators were planned under a restructuring initiated by the state. Patients also would have fewer places to go for treatment.

Karen McKeown, public health administrator for the state Department of Health Services, says many women now served by the program will instead get subsidized private insurance through the Affordable Care Act. In addition, childless adults below the poverty level can get Medicaid.

“We know that some women won’t be able to do either of those, and the program will remain available to them,” said McKeown.

The biggest concern that cancer awareness and women’s advocates have is continuity of care possibly being disrupted because of restructuring.

“There’s great concern about distances that women might have to drive to get to a provider,” said Sara Finger, who directs the Wisconsin Alliance for Women’s Health. “There was great concern about reduced number of coordinators advocating for patients and helping them navigate through the health system during a very vulnerable time.“

The state will put out applications for providers in December. Finger is asking the state to extend contracts with current providers until its known who will continue care under the Wisconsin Well Woman Program.