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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 20, 2017 05:06 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Isabella V. Fitzgerald |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Breast Density Screening Insurance Coverage |
| In the near future, I will introduce legislation in the House of Representatives that would provide for insurance coverage for breast density screening. This legislation amends the Insurance Company Law of 1921 by extending mandated insurance coverage to ultrasound screening and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) if a mammogram demonstrates heterogeneous or dense breast tissue based on the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (as established by the American College of Radiology) or if a woman is believed to be at increased risk of breast cancer due to family history, prior personal history of breast cancer, positive genetic testing, or other indicators as deemed necessary by a physician. According to Susan G. Komen, women with high breast density are four to five times more likely to get breast cancer than women with low breast density. Additionally, high breast density is common, with 40 to 50 percent of women ages 40-74 having dense breasts. Extending insurance coverage to ultrasound screenings, MRI or other supplemental screenings if dense breast tissue is detected or there is a genetic risk will increase awareness and the possibility of early detection of breast cancer. Therefore, please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation that will make Pennsylvania among the first states in the nation to require full insurance coverage without co-pays for all breast screenings and supplemental imaging, including MRI and breast ultrasound, for women with dense breasts. Thank you. |
Introduced as HB579