(The Center Square) – When the commonwealth became the first state nationwide to mandate free early detection screening for breast cancer risk, it overlooked another crucial, and expensive, step in the process: diagnostic procedures.
“Act 1 of 2023 was a landmark step forward – we broke down barriers and brought hope to thousands of women by making supplemental breast cancer screening and testing available at no cost,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, R-Greensburg. “But we know that screening is just one part of early detection, and far too many patients are still being hit with costs for the diagnostic imaging they need next.”
Ward spearheaded Pennsylvania’s Act 1 after undergoing treatment for breast cancer in 2020. The law requires state-regulated insurance coverage for breast MRIs, genetic testing and ultrasounds, which impacts about 3 million people across the state.
The updated bill that passed the Senate Insurance and Banking Committee on Tuesday extends the act to cover follow-up mammograms and imaging tests to confirm the presence of breast cancer.
“It’s time to finish what we started and make sure every woman has access to the full range of breast imaging, including diagnostic exams, without cost standing in the way,” Ward said.
Sen. Frank Farry, R-Langhorne, joined Ward in cosponsoring the bill this time around.
“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,” he said. “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 alongside Sen. Ward, my colleagues and dedicated advocates to ensure more women get the care they need – because early detection saves lives.”
The committee unanimously approved the bill, sending it to the Senate floor for final consideration.
