Dothan, ALA – Enterprise native and U.S. Senator Katie Britt has unveiled new legislation aimed at eliminating out-of-pocket expenses for diagnostic breast cancer tests. The Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act seeks to address a significant gap in the current healthcare system by extending no co-pay coverage to diagnostic procedures, such as 3D mammograms, MRIs, and ultrasounds.
Currently, federal law mandates that insurance companies provide no co-pay coverage for breast cancer screenings, including standard mammograms. However, this coverage does not extend to follow-up diagnostic tests that are often required when a mammogram produces unclear results. According to recent data, approximately 10% of mammograms require additional diagnostic testing, making this a crucial area of focus for Britt’s legislation.
Breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent health concerns for women, with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama reporting that one in eight women will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime. In Alabama, the breast cancer rate is 121%, which is slightly below the national rate of 126%. Despite this, experts predict that more than 316,000 new breast cancer cases will be diagnosed across the United States this year.
Senator Britt’s bill seeks to reduce the financial burden for individuals who may need additional diagnostic tests following a routine mammogram. Many women, particularly those without comprehensive insurance coverage, face significant out-of-pocket expenses when follow-up procedures are necessary. By eliminating these costs, the Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act would ensure more equitable access to timely and accurate diagnosis for breast cancer patients.
The proposed legislation was introduced in the 118th Congress, with Britt emphasizing the importance of expanding coverage to improve early detection and treatment of breast cancer. Early diagnosis is widely recognized as key to increasing survival rates, and Britt’s effort to remove financial barriers aims to empower more women to seek the care they need without fear of prohibitive costs.
As the legislation moves through Congress, advocates for women’s health and cancer research have expressed strong support for the bill, underscoring the need for comprehensive healthcare policies that prioritize prevention and early intervention in the fight against breast cancer.
