KCBA - Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz - News Weather-State Program Only Giving Mammograms after 50
Member Center:
Today we learned the California public health department said a drop in revenues forced it to stop offering cancer screenings to women younger than 50. Central Coast News spent the day talking with local radiologists about the changes.
Both Natividad and Salinas Valley Memorial hospital will continue following the American Cancer Society's recommendations of annual mammograms once you turn 40. Starting January 1st, the states cancer detection program is closing new enrollment and changing age guidelines.
"Every Woman Counts," will only treat women over the age of 50. Women younger than 50 already in the program will be kicked out! But hospitals on the Central Coast are sticking to their guns and encouraging women to continue coming in for mammograms at 40.
You can still enroll in the program until the end of the month, but that's when open enrollment closes. The phone number for Every Woman Counts is 1-800-511-2300. You can also contact your county health office for other options if you're younger than 50.
Critics of state run healthcare say these sorts of cuts are an example of what will happen if the federal government manages healthcare.
