Calif. governor vetoes breast, ovarian genetic testing bill

Gov. Jerry Brown of California on September 27 vetoed a breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility screening bill that had passed in the state's Senate and Assembly in August.

Susceptibility screening is genetic testing for BRCA mutations linked to these cancers. AB 2342 would have required healthcare service plans, health insurers, and the state's Department of Health Care Services "to cover breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility screening as recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force," according to its text.

In a message to the state's Assembly, the governor attributed his decision to the fact that the bill -- as well as several other bills vetoed at the same time -- would require "significant, ongoing general fund commitments." He believes they should be "considered as part of the budget process," he said.