HARRISBURG, PA — Susan G. Komen® has announced its strong support for Pennsylvania House Bill 433, introduced by Representative Gina Curry (D–Delaware). The proposed legislation aims to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging, ensuring equitable access to early breast cancer detection.
Breast cancer remains one of the most significant health challenges in Pennsylvania, with over 13,650 people expected to be diagnosed in 2025 and 1,800 projected deaths. Despite the availability of insurance-covered screening mammograms, follow-up imaging—such as breast MRIs and ultrasounds—used to confirm or rule out diagnoses often incurs high out-of-pocket costs. This financial burden, ranging from $234 to over $1,000, forces many patients to delay or entirely forgo these critical tests.
“Nobody should be forced to skip medical care that helps to detect breast cancer early because of the cost,” said Molly Guthrie, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at Susan G. Komen. “This bill will remove the financial barrier to diagnostic and supplemental imaging so that individuals can get the care they need without having to endure undue financial burden. This is a pivotal step toward equitable access to care, potentially saving lives by enabling earlier detection of the disease and treatment.”
HB 433 seeks to amend Pennsylvania’s Insurance Company Law of 1921 by mandating coverage for diagnostic and supplemental imaging without patient cost-sharing. This is especially critical for individuals with abnormal mammograms or those at higher risk of developing breast cancer. By reducing such barriers, the bill aims to improve early detection rates and reduce the consequences of delayed diagnoses, which often lead to advanced-stage cancers that are five times more expensive to treat and significantly deadlier than cancers caught early.
“Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic breast imaging is not just a matter of healthcare—it’s a matter of life and death,” said Representative Gina Curry. “By removing financial barriers to critical follow-up tests, we ensure no one has to choose between their health and their finances, ultimately saving lives and reducing long-term healthcare costs for all.”
Studies underscore the urgency of action. A 2019 Susan G. Komen study found that such costs lead 1 in 5 patients to skip recommended imaging tests. These delays, compounded by the emotional stress of waiting for a diagnosis, result in worse outcomes for patients and higher costs for the healthcare system.
If enacted, HB 433 represents a vital step toward addressing healthcare inequities by ensuring Pennsylvanians can access timely and affordable diagnostic imaging. The bill not only holds the promise of saving lives but also aims to ease the broader strains on the healthcare system by reducing the long-term costs associated with late-stage cancer treatment. Looking ahead, the commitment to early detection and equitable care could transform outcomes for thousands while driving meaningful progress in the fight against breast cancer.
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