On behalf of the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH)'s Women's Cancer Screening Program, Governor Gina M. Raimondo accepted a $10,000 check today from Rhode Island Medical Imaging to expand financial assistance for access to breast screening and follow-up services for low-income women in Rhode Island.
"I want to thank Rhode Island Medical Imaging for their generous donation, and for their decades-long commitment to the health of Rhode Islanders," said Governor Raimondo. "Financial barriers should never stand between a woman and potentially life-saving cancer care. Rhode Island Medical Imaging's work to ensure that this is not the case, and their selfless commitment to the well-being of all Rhode Islanders, exemplifies the best of Rhode Island."
After women receive breast cancer screenings, RIDOH's Women's Cancer Screening Program offers financial assistance for follow-up services to insured women whose incomes are not more than four times the federal poverty level. However, many women do not meet this criterion but still struggle to afford follow-up services because of high co-pays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses. The donation will allow the Women's Cancer Screening Program to help these women who are currently just above the cut off.
RIDOH's Women's Cancer Screening Program is a breast and cervical screening program that covers the cost of an office visit, Pap and HPV tests, mammograms, and most follow-up services for people who meet certain eligibility criteria. The program is also able to help some uninsured women enroll in Medicaid to cover the cost of breast and/or cervical treatment. For more information about eligibility criteria and services, call 401-222-4324, or visit www.health.ri.gov/programs/womenscancerscreening
"We at Rhode Island Medical Imaging are proud to once again support the Women's Cancer Screening Program," said Dr. John Pezzullo, president of Rhode Island Medical Imaging. "As the largest provider of women's imaging services in the state, we see first-hand how devastating a breast cancer diagnosis can be for patients and their families. At RIMI, we offer cutting-edge technology complimented by a team of radiologists that are at the top of their field. We believe we must do our part to ensure that the underserved population of women in need receive that same level of quality care."
"Thanks to the success of the Affordable Care Act in Rhode Island, many more women have health insurance to cover breast cancer services. But many women struggle to get recommended follow-up services after an abnormal finding because of financial barriers," said Director of Health Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH. "I want to thank Rhode Island Medical Imaging for their donation, and for expanding access to quality health services and care for Rhode Islanders in every zip code throughout the state."
The Affordable Care Act is working in Rhode Island. Approximately 96% of all Rhode Islanders have health insurance today. Expanded access to Medicaid through the Affordable Care Act has resulted in coverage for approximately 70,000 adults, and more than 30,000 Rhode Islanders are insured through HealthSource RI. HealthSource RI's open enrollment period has begun. For more information, people should visit www.healthsourceRI or call 1-855-840-4774.
Established in 1943, Rhode Island Medical Imaging operates a network of private facilities that are staffed by board certified radiologists and registered technologists. Rhode Island Medical Imaging radiologists also perform and interpret the full spectrum of imaging examinations at Rhode Island Hospital, Women & Infants Hospital, Miriam Hospital, and Hasbro Children's Hospital.