A bill that would significantly broaden access to no-cost breast cancer screenings and diagnostic imaging in Pennsylvania has unanimously passed the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee and is now headed to the full Senate for a vote.
Senate Bill 88, which was introduced by State Sen. Chris Gebhard, a Republican from Central Pennsylvania, looks to expand current state law to cover additional diagnostic screenings and supplemental imaging for individuals at both high and average risk of breast cancer. State Sen. Farry, of Langhorne Borough, and State Sen. President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, both Republicans, supported the bill.
Currently, Pennsylvania law allows for no-cost supplemental screenings for high-risk individuals, including MRIs and ultrasounds. However, if an abnormality is found during these screenings, patients often face out-of-pocket costs for subsequent diagnostic imaging.
Senate Bill 88 seeks to close this gap to make sure follow-up diagnostic screenings are also provided at no cost, according to lawmakers.
The bill also expands the number of covered supplemental screenings and aligns state law with federal guidance from the Health Resources and Services Administration, which will increase the number of residents who can benefit from early detection methods.
“Preventive health care such as genetic testing and breast MRIs are indispensable for early cancer detection and treatment,” said Gebhard.
Farry pointed to the personal importance of the legislation.
“This legislation builds on the historic progress we made with Act 1 of 2023,” said Farry. “We’re now ensuring that every method of early breast cancer detection is accessible – so that no woman is forced to delay critical follow-up care due to financial barriers. This cause is deeply personal to me, as my wife has been bravely fighting breast cancer for the past year and a half. I’m proud to champion this legislation.”
Pennsylvania was the first state to eliminate cost-sharing for high-risk individuals for supplemental screening procedures through Act 1 of 2023.
The Keystone State is now the only one of the 27 states that followed suit that does not include diagnostic coverage in its law.
“Act 1 of 2023 was historic legislation and this bill aims to build on that success, providing no-cost diagnostic breast imaging and ultimately cutting costs and improving health outcomes,” Gebhard said.
The bill is supported by the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition and the American Cancer Society and has no opposition from insurers.
Advertisement
Meet Your Canna Coach: Personalized Guidance, Free for You!
