Breast Health Collaborative of Texas

1. Breast Health Collaborative of Texas Michele Ostrander Executive Director Houston Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure

2. To unite breast health advocates to education, advocate and leverage resources in Texas We are committed to: Advocate for positive legislative change Promote collaboration among breast health providers Maximize new and existing resources Mission

3. History • August 2006 – first meeting • Meet quarterly • Created logo • Established web domain • www.breasthealthtexas.org • Established fiscal agent – The Rose

4. Member Organizations YMCA of Greater Houston University of Texas Medical Branch Pink Ribbons Project Sam Houston State University Liberty County Cancer Awareness Twin Oaks Community Center Brazosport Health Foundation Herald Cancer Association Asian American Health Coalition D’Feet Breast Cancer, Inc. Conroe Regional Cancer Center The Rose Lesbian Health Initiative American Cancer Society CanCare of Houston, Inc. Y-ME Texas Gulf Coast The Community Clinic Redes En Accion Texas Cancer Council Harris County Hospital District

5. Member Organizations Shalom Mobile Health Ministry Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas St. Luke’s Episcopal Health Charities St. Vincent’s Episcopal House University of Texas, School of Public Health Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services Houston Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Haddassah Bridge Breast Network

6. Collaborative Structure Chair – Michele Ostrander Chair Elect – Melissa Lofton Secretary – Debra Johnson Committee Chairs • Advocacy – Anita Broxson & Gayle McMorrow • Medical/Research – Dr. Noushin Hart • Web Technology – Celene Meyer • Funding – Dorothy Weston Gibbons • By-laws – Patty Greene

7. Committee Goals • Advocacy: To remain current and promote positive change with legislation that affects breast health awareness, prevention and care • Medical/Research: To interpret current research and patient care guidelines as it relates to practitioners providing care to the uninsured • Web Technology: To work collaboratively to utilize and develop web technology tools to improve access to breast health resources for the underserved

8. Advocacy Committee • Research applicable state and federal legislation and keep collaborative members informed • Provide clarification of legislation to collaborative members as needed • Provide education about current bills via monthly emails during legislative sessions • Educate the collaborative on how to locate and contact their legislative representatives Gayle_mcmorrow@yahoo.com&abroxson@mdanderson.com

9. Medical/Research Committee • Create a link between the resources and practitioners providing care to uninsured patients with breast cancer • Review recent data and find its applicability to Texas with its own uninsured challenges • Educate collaborative members regarding practical consequences of new guidelines and recommendations from American Cancer Society & National Cancer Institute Noushin.hart@memorialhermann.org

10. Web Technology • Secure funding to support the development and support of a Spanish language breast health portal • Market breast health portal to increase utilization by 20% in the first six months and increase the number of service providers by 25% • Continue to provide and maintain accurate and timely information including comprehensive data analysis • Expand service areas through collaboration and funding partnerships cmeyer@sleh.com

11. Collaborative Success Komen Lobby Day • Komen Houston Affiliate sent the largest contingent from across the state to Austin • Successfully lobbied for FIRST ever state match for breast and cervical cancer screening program (BCCSP) - $19.7 million! • Successfully lobbied to change BCCSP from most to LEAST restrictive option – effective September 1, 2007 (serve 800 – 1,000 additional women) • Invited by the State to provide input about the expansion of BCCSP

12. PROPOSITION 15 “The constitutional amendment requiring the creation of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and authorizing the issuance of up to $3 billion in bonds payable from the general revenues of the state for research in Texas to find the causes and cures for cancer.”

13. Proposition 15 • $3 billion over 10 years for cancer research and prevention • Allow for issuance of up to $300 million in bonds payable from general revenues of the state each year • Establish the Texas Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas • Up to 10% of the grants must be used for prevention and control, including screening, treatment and outreach education

14. Proposition 15 • Establish Oversight Committee – 11 members – responsible for final funding decisions • Scientific Research and Prevention Programs Committee – 18 members • 6 from health care facilities • 3 from health care organizations • 2 from private higher education institutions • 7 from public higher education institutions Responsible for reviewing grants and making funding recommendations to Oversight Committee

15. Proposition 15 VOTE YES November 6!

16. Next Steps • Continue to meet quarterly – JOIN US! • Next meeting – November 27 10 a.m. to noon at American Cancer Society • Host training on Implementing Effective Programs on January 29, 2008 • Continue to progress on Committee goals • Finalize by-laws