Reps. Dingell, Fitzpatrick, Wasserman Schultz, Cole, Allred Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Coverage of Breast Cancer Diagnostic Tests

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 -- Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, issued the following news release on Oct. 29, 2021:

Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Tom Cole (R-OK), and Colin Allred (D-TX) introduced bipartisan legislation to make breast cancer diagnostic tests more affordable and accessible to women by eliminating copays and additional out-of-pocket expenses. Introduced during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Access to Breast Cancer Diagnostics Act of 2021 requires insurance companies to cover breast cancer diagnosis in the same way screenings are covered.

"Cost should never stand in the way of a women getting the diagnostic tests she needs, and we know that early diagnosis saves lives," said Dingell. "One in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, and this bipartisan legislation is critical to improving access to early treatment and care."

"Key in the fight against breast cancer is timely diagnostic testing, which greatly increases a patient's chance of beating this devastating disease," said Fitzpatrick. "I am proud to join my bipartisan colleagues in introducing this legislation so that we can eliminate undue financial obstacles associated with diagnostic exams and increase access to the medical care that patients need."

"I know from personal experience how vital early detection is to surviving breast cancer. It helped save my life. And cost should never be a barrier to why women delay their screenings," said Wasserman Schultz. "I am eager to collaborate with my colleagues on this important, bipartisan legislation, which will eliminate copays and additional out-of-pocket expenses that act as a barrier to critical breast cancer diagnostic testing. We cannot limit access to and allow delays in essential services, like screenings and preventive care, because of our financial status."

"Women should not have to worry about the out-of-pocket costs of breast cancer diagnostic testing or delay a breast cancer diagnosis," said Cole. "Indeed, early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer is critical to survival. For this reason, I am proud to join my colleagues in re-introducing this bipartisan and commonsense legislation that requires health insurers to cover breast cancer diagnostic testing for the same costs as their initial screening."

"My mother is a breast cancer survivor so I know first-hand what families face, and no one facing breast cancer should be denied access to diagnostic services," said Allred. "Our bipartisan bill closes a gap in coverage and takes a step toward helping women get the health care they need."

"Unfortunately, we hear from people far too often that are unable to afford this needed diagnostic breast imaging and that is simply unacceptable," said Molly Guthrie, Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at Susan G. Komen. "We are grateful for Congresswoman Dingell's leadership to eliminate barriers to accessing care so that anyone who needs this testing is able to access and afford it, and begin treatment as soon as possible if they are determined to have breast cancer."

Under current law, insurance companies are required to cover preventative health care like breast cancer screenings without copays, but not diagnostic testing. If a breast cancer screening shows that a woman may have breast cancer, a diagnostic test like an MRI or ultrasound is required to determine whether cancer is present. Since diagnosis is a separate process from screening, this disparity in coverage can result in additional costs for patients for required diagnostic tests. that serve as a barrier to treatment and care.

Text of the legislation can be found here: https://debbiedingell.house.gov/UploadedFiles/DINGMI_198_xml.pdf