Committee advances bill to eliminate cost sharing for coronary artery calcium scans

The committee gave a due-pass recommendation to a committee substitute for Senate Bill 278 by a 7–3 recorded vote. The measure seeks to eliminate patient cost sharing for coronary artery calcium scanning, a screening CT intended to detect atherosclerotic coronary artery disease so that clinicians can begin LDL-lowering therapy earlier.

Senator Hickey described the medical rationale at length, characterizing coronary artery disease as the leading cause of death and arguing the five‑minute CT scan (which the sponsor described as having a low per‑scan cost to a provider) is a cost‑effective early-detection tool. "We're literally on the threshold of eliminating it," Hickey said, citing national mortality and cost figures and telling the committee the high out‑of‑pocket deductible for high‑end radiology (commonly a $250 deductible in commercial plans) creates a barrier to screening.

Representative Jones and Representative Nicole Chavez questioned cost and clinical guidance. Jones asked about the sponsor’s $35 per-scan cost figure; Hickey replied that direct costs to providers are around $35 though plans commonly apply high‑end radiology cost‑sharing. Nicole Chavez raised concerns referencing the American Heart Association, which warns that broad screening can lead to false positives and downstream procedures and recommends shared decision-making rather than indiscriminate screening.

After debate the committee took a roll-call vote and returned a 7–3 due-pass recommendation. Members discussed follow-up items including lab prescreening (LDL measurement) and appropriate clinical pathways; the sponsor indicated those details are addressed in a companion bill that followed the calcium-scan measure on the agenda.

The committee’s favorable recommendation advances the bill to further legislative consideration; opponents urged caution about broad population screening and the potential for unnecessary downstream testing.