Women's Way Facts

Women’s Way provides a way to pay for most breast and cervical cancer screenings for eligible North Dakota women.

• In 1990, Congress passed the Breast and Cervical Cancer Mortality Prevention Act, which launched funding for the national breast and cervical cancer screening program.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) distributes the money and oversees the national program.

• Today, in the United States, 68 funded states, tribes, and territories provide services.

• North Dakota received funding in 1993 for planning and system development.

• The North Dakota program was named Women’s Way and began offering screening services in 1997.

• Women’s Way is administered through the North Dakota Department of Health and local public health offices.

• More than 851 doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants are enrolled as participating providers, making it possible for most clients to receive services through their regular doctor at 287 facilities across North Dakota.

• As many as 24,000 women in North Dakota could be eligible for Women’s Way and receive breast and cervical screenings.

• CDC estimates that funds awarded to the state can provide screenings for 15 percent of potentially eligible women.  North Dakota stretches its funds to screen more than 25 percent of potentially eligible women.

• Limited diagnostic procedures are also available to women enrolled in Women’s Way.

• In 2001, the North Dakota state legislature passed and Governor Hoeven signed legislation allowing uninsured Women’s Way clients who are diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer to access treatment coverage through Medicaid - Women’s Way Treatment program.