WASHINGTON - HealthDay News noted five U.S. states - Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Mississippi, and Wisconsin - failed the first ever prostate cancer report cards issued by the National Prostate Cancer Coalition (NPCC).  California, Connecticut, Kansas, and New York received the best grades.  States are rated based on current prostate cancer screening rates, death rates, and whether they have laws guaranteeing insurance coverage for prostate cancer testing.  "Many states aren’t doing even the simplest things when it comes to fighting prostate cancer.  Early detection saves lives, and far too many states don't encourage men to know the risks and to get tested," Dr. Richard Atkins, NPCC’s CEO stated.  Currently, 28 states have laws that force insurance companies to pay for prostate exams versus 49 states that require coverage for breast cancer screening.  Two states with failing grades - Mississippi and Alabama - rank second and fourth, respectively, in terms of having the highest prostate cancer death rates.  Idaho and Wisconsin rank fifth and ninth, respectively, in the lowest screening rates.  Connecticut, which had a perfect score, was the only state to rank in the top 10 in highest screening and lowest death rates.  "There are several states that could've scored As, if only they had screening mandates," Atkins noted.  "Screening rates are starting to improve among the states that recently have adopted screening mandates, like Oregon and Washington."