With the Senate prioritizing healthy Floridians this session, the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee has placed another health bill on its January 29th agenda: Senate Bill 932, Coverage for Diagnostic and Supplemental Breast Examinations. The bill, filed bySenator Lori Berman (D-Boynton Beach), would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging when medically necessary. These types of exams include MRIs, ultrasounds, and diagnostic mammograms, which can be costly and require people to pay high out-of-pocket costs – before more expensive treatment begins.
“Many Floridians in need of diagnostic and supplemental breast exams for the early detection of breast cancer are consistently subject to unaffordable costs,” said Senator Lori Berman. “As an eight-year breast cancer survivor, I am grateful for the treatment I was afforded. As soon as I knew my mammogram revealed a mass that subsequent testing determined was breast cancer, I was able to go forward with a treatment plan. Not everyone has the same means. I am honored to be a sponsor of this legislation. I truly understand how important it is to ensure access to these medically necessary exams. Now is the time to add Florida to the growing list of states that have passed this lifesaving legislation nationwide. After years of collaboration, we are grateful to work with the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure, one of the greatest advocacy groups for breast cancer.”
The House sponsor of the bill, Representative Marie Woodson (D-Hollywood), shared, “As someone who has personally benefitted from early detection, I cannot stress enough how impactful and important this legislation is. Breast cancer is a life-or-death situation, and breaking the barriers to accessing care is paramount. We all know someone who has been affected by Breast cancer. Early detection saves lives and I look forward to getting this crucial legislation to the finish line with Senator Berman.”
“We applaud Senator Berman and Representative Woodson for introducing this bill which will ensure thousands of Floridians can access the diagnostic or supplemental breast imaging they require,” said Molly Guthrie, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at Susan G. Komen. “This legislation will eliminate a major barrier to early diagnosis, immediately removing the financial burden that far too often falls on the shoulders of patients.”
The bill is on the January 29th agenda of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, which begins at 1:30 pm.
