Rep. Dingell Teams Up With House Colleagues to Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Access to Breast Cancer Diagnostic Tests

by Michaela Johnson

Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI), co-chair of the Congressional Cancer Prevention Caucus, Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), 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. The Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act of 2023 requires insurance companies to cover diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations without cost-sharing.

“We know that early diagnosis saves lives, so no one should be unable to access critical testing because they can’t afford it,” said Dingell. “One in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, and this bipartisan legislation would eliminate financial barriers that prevent women from getting vitally important diagnostic imaging tests.”

“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 precisely how critical early detection is to surviving breast cancer. It helped save my life, and cost should never be a barrier that delays women from getting screenings,” said Wasserman Schultz. “I am extremely eager to collaborate with my colleagues on this important, bipartisan legislation, to eliminate copays and additional out-of-pocket expenses that create breast cancer diagnostic testing hurdles. We cannot allow financial status to limit access to essential services, like screenings and preventive care. Too many lives depend on it.”

“My mother is a breast cancer survivor so I understand personally what families face, and that cost should never stand in the way of North Texans getting preventative and diagnostic care,” said Allred. “I am committed to working so every Texan has access to quality, affordable health care. Our bipartisan bill closes a gap in coverage and takes a step toward helping women get the health care they need.”

“The Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act can make an immediate impact for the many individuals who require diagnostic or supplemental breast imaging yet are unable to afford it and often forego the tests,” said Molly Guthrie, Vice President of Policy and Advocate at Susan G. Komen. “We are grateful for Congresswoman Dingell’s leadership to ensure everyone is able to access and can afford the care they need, especially when it could mean the difference between a person’s life and death” 

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.

Text of the legislation can be found here.