Susan G. Komen® Advocates for Access to Breast Care Imaging as Voter Support Grows
Breast Cancer Community Urges Action During Annual Advocacy Summit
Susan G. Komen®, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, urged lawmakers on Capitol Hill to put their full support behind pending legislation that would expand access to early detection and require insurance companies to fully cover the cost of all recommended breast imaging, not just routine screening mammograms. The call-to-action comes amid a new national poll showing 90% of voters support proposals that would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for imaging and additional testing for people who require it.
The Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act (H.R.3037/S.1500) removes cost barriers that patients face when they require breast imaging beyond a screening mammogram. This imaging, which can be standard of care for some breast cancer survivors and others at high risk, can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs. These costs are real barrier to care: About 1 in 5 women say they would skip recommended follow-up breast imaging if it involves out-of-pocket costs (e.g., deductibles or co-pays)
The Screening for Communities to Receive Early and Equitable Needed Services (SCREENS) for Cancer Act (H.R.2381/S.1866) reauthorizes the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection program, which provides no-cost breast and cervical cancer screening to people with low incomes and inadequate insurance, and provides greater flexibility to implement innovative evidence-based interventions.
