Susan G. Komen® Applauds Bill Introduction, Urges Quick Passage
RICHMOND – Susan G. Komen®, the world’s leading breast cancer organization commends Representative Shelly Simonds (D-Newport News) and Senator Tara Durant (R-Fredericksburg) for working with Komen to ensure that everyone has equitable access to diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging, by eliminating the financial barriers patients face in accessing needed breast cancer screening.
In Virginia, more than 8,180 people were diagnosed with breast cancer and 1,160 died of the disease in 2024 alone. The exorbitant out-of-pocket costs associated with these critical breast imaging procedures, ranging from hundreds-to-thousands of dollars, often force individuals to make significant financial sacrifices or forego tests that can confirm or rule out cancer. .
“Nobody should be forced to skip medical care that helps to detect breast cancer early because of the cost, yet thousands of Virginians are forced to make that decision every year,” 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 1828/SB 1238 introduced by Rep. Simonds and Sen. Durant, eliminates the patient out-of-pocket costs for medically necessary diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging such as breast MRIs and ultrasounds. Unfortunately, when a mammogram reveals an abnormality or an individual is at a higher risk of breast cancer, diagnostic and supplemental imaging is required to determine if the patient needs a biopsy. The high out-of-pocket costs for this imaging deters many individuals in Virginia from receiving their recommended care, and as a result, breast cancer can be diagnosed at a later stage, when it is much deadlier and much more costly to treat.
“No one should be putting off care because of out-of-pocket costs — especially since we know breast cancer is much deadlier and more costly to treat if it goes undetected and spreads,” said Del. Simonds. “We all know that the earlier cancer is detected, the better the prognosis – not to mention the huge cost-savings of an early diagnosis versus a late-stage one. Too often, we see women delay getting a follow up exam, and by the time they are able to afford to pay for care, their prognosis is worse. It’s heartbreaking when women sacrifice their own health to afford putting food on the table and paying bills. This legislation will remove those barriers to care and will save lives.”
A Komen-commissioned study found out-of-pockets costs for patients to range from $234 for a diagnostic mammogram to more than $1,000 for a breast MRI. Additionally, a recent study published in Radiology found that 1 in 5 patients said they would not go in for recommended follow-up imaging if they had to pay a deductible. This diagnostic or supplemental imaging is often crucial for individuals previously diagnosed with breast cancer or those considered high-risk. The high out-of-pocket cost creates inequities in essential care and imposes additional financial barriers for these patients.
“This legislation is deeply personal to me, as I have experienced firsthand the barriers that can stand in the way of accessing timely breast health care. By eliminating cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations, we are removing a significant hurdle that too many women face,” said Sen. Durant. “Early detection saves lives, and this bill ensures that financial concerns won’t delay critical screenings and diagnostics. I am proud to champion this measure and work alongside the breast cancer awareness community to improve outcomes and save lives across Virginia.”
