Pennsylvania lawmakers advance bill expanding no-cost breast cancer diagnostics

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — Pennsylvania was one of the first states to require insurance companies to cover breast cancer screenings for high-risk women. Now, lawmakers want to expand on the law.

Senate Bill 88, circulated by Rep. Frank Farry (R-Bucks), passed out of the insurance committee unanimously on Tuesday. The bill would clarify that insurance companies must cover screenings and diagnostics with no out-of-pocket costs for not just high-risk women but average-risk women, too.

“This is a journey very personal to me, my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer,” said Rep. Farry.

Farry’s Senate Bill isn’t just for his wife, Kristen; it’s also for lots of women, even fellow Senators. Senate President Kim Ward sponsored the original breast cancer screening bill. The first law enacted by Governor Shapiro. All insurers covered screenings, but some charged for subsequent diagnostics.

“1 in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year,” said Rep. Ward. “I was one of those women.”

“Heaven forbid we allow a woman to have a free screening and it shows something, right?” said Farry. “Then she can’t afford to pay for the follow-up diagnostics to find out if she has cancer or not, and we’re closing that loophole.”

“It’s important because early diagnosis helps save lives,” said Pat Halpin-Murphy, the President of the PA Breast Cancer Coalition. “The earlier that you discover something that needs treatment, the better off you are.”

“When this stuff touches you personally, it really gives meaning to what we’re trying to do because it’ll touch a lot of families personally,” added Ward.

Farry says his family’s breast cancer journey’s had ups and downs, and an unforgettable pit stop. He gave his wife a 1973 Volkswagen Beetle, just like Kristen’s first car; She’d wanted one for years. Frank surprised her with it as she rang the cancer victory bell.

“On June 20th of last year, at her last chemo treatment, I stashed it at the treatment center,” said Farry.

Frank knows not every cancer patient wants a pink ’73 Beetle, but he hopes his bill gives them what they and their families all want.

“We know that screening is just one part of early detection, and far too many patients are still being hit with costs for the diagnostic imaging they need next,” said Ward. “It’s time to finish what we started and make sure every woman has access to the full range of breast imaging, including diagnostic exams, without cost standing in the way.”

The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration, where it is likely to pass.