[Madison, Wis.] – On Wednesday, July 12, the Senate Committee on Health held a public hearing on Senate Bill 121. The bipartisan bill, co-sponsored by over one-third of the Legislature, increases access to life-saving breast imaging by eliminating patient cost-sharing for those with dense breasts and those at increased risk of breast cancer. 40 percent of women have dense breast tissue, which makes them 4-6 times more likely to get breast cancer.
Those who testified in support of the bill include brave breast cancer fighters, advocates, and leading health organizations, including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Susan G. Komen, the Wisconsin Breast Cancer Coalition, the Medical College of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Radiological Society, the Wisconsin Nurses Association, and the Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association.
Read more in the news:
VIDEO: Spectrum News – Why both sides of the aisle are pushing to expand access to breast cancer screenings: State lawmakers heard public feedback this week on a bill which aims to increase access to potentially life-saving breast imaging. For those with dense breast tissue, and those with an increased risk of cancer, some lawmakers want to eliminate the patient’s share of the cost for screenings. So far, the bipartisan bill has been co-sponsored by more than one-third of the Legislature.
Wisconsin Public Radio – Insurance companies would cover supplemental breast cancer screenings under proposal: While insurance often only covers diagnostic exams if an irregularity is discovered in the mammogram, several breast cancer patients testified Wednesday that their own mammograms did not indicate any irregularities. Medical experts say that dense breast tissue can render a mammogram useless – akin to spotting “a polar bear in a snowstorm,” as Dr. Anand Narayan, a radiologist and breast imaging specialist, testified.
WisPolitics – Advocates back bill to expand breast cancer screenings: Cabral-Guevara during Wednesday’s hearing said mammograms don’t always show the full results for people with dense breasts, arguing the bill would close a critical loophole. “Under no circumstances should cancer be allowed to spread undetected… after getting a screening such as a mammogram,” the Appleton Republican said.
Wisconsin Examiner – Senate committee considers bills to expand access to birth control and breast cancer screenings: Cabral-Guevara said the bill is about early detection. “At affordable price with early detection, we can reduce the number of women who will succumb to cancer, breast cancer,” Cabral-Guevara said. “These screenings – when we’re using mammograms, ultrasounds and MRIs – can detect cancer in dense breast tissue.”
The Early Detection Saves Lives Coalition is dedicated to increasing critical access to essential breast cancer imaging in Wisconsin. Visit EarlyDetectionWI.com to learn more.
