Washington D.C. –U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) recently joined Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) in introducing the Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis (ABCD) Act. The bipartisan bill would reduce copays and other costs out of pocket for tests for diagnosing breast cancer and make the tests more affordable and accessible.
In the current law insurance companies are legally required to offer no-copay coverage in the event of breast cancer testing, but no diagnostic tests. If the initial test indicates that a patient is at risk of developing breast cancer, further tests such as mammograms, MRIs and ultrasounds might be necessary to determine an accurate diagnosis. A majority of mammograms taken during screening need following-up diagnostic tests. Diagnostic testing on a regular basis may be recommended for women that have endured a previous breast cancer diagnosis or who are at risk of being genetically susceptible to developing breast cancer.
“The option for women to get an initial mammogram in the course of their insurance coverage is an important, potentially lifesaving device to identify breast cancer. This sensible legislation will ensure that a required regular mammogram is offered by health insurance providers with no cost out of pocket for the patient. Every woman in America should have to face the difficult decision of having to pay for essential necessities like food or the ability to determine if she suffers from an illness that could be life-threatening. I’m grateful to have been able to contribute to this campaign to ensure greater access to mammography, so that women are diagnosed as early as they can. This will give women the most diverse treatments and the best chances to beat this cancer,” said Senator Britt.
“It isn’t easy and expensive for women to access the breast imaging they need, an important factor in the more than 44,000 cancer deaths that are anticipated this year,” Molly Guthrie, Vice Director for the Policy and Advocacy at Susan G. Komen she said. “We must pass this legislation in the shortest time possible to ensure that women don’t face obstacles to timely diagnosis or have to deal with the consequences of expensive out-of-pocket costs for imaging that is required due to their individual situation. Thanks to senators Jeanne Shaheen and Katie Britt and Representatives Debbie Dingell and Brian Fitzpatrick for their leadership in this crucial law. .”
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama declares that one in eight females is likely to be diagnosed an invasive breast cancer in their lifetime which includes an estimated 4,500 women from Alabama from 2023.
Susan G. Komen estimates that by 2023, nearly 29,77,000 cases of breast cancer invasive will be diagnosed among women in the United States. Furthermore an Susan G. Komen study determined that diagnostic tests may cost women between $234 to $1,041.
Reps. Debbie Dingell (MI-06) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) recently proposed a companion bill together with Reps. Colin Allred (TX-32) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25).
The entire language from the ABCD Act is accessible on this page..
