Committee advances bill to cover follow-up breast screening costs in PERS pilot despite disputed fiscal note

The Appropriations Committee advanced House Bill 1283 to require coverage of additional follow-up breast screening costs under a pilot that would apply to the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) plan, while committee members noted significant variance in fiscal estimates.

Senator Mather, sponsor of the bill, told committee members the bill “would require that the cost not only of the initial screening, but more in-depth screening that is required in some case be covered.” She urged the committee to treat the PERS provision as a pilot to gather real-world cost and benefit data.

The fiscal note on the bill submitted to the committee showed a PERS impact of approximately $4 million; the sponsor circulated an alternative estimate that brought the cost to about $1 million and cited other states with no apparent fiscal hits. Committee members debated the general fiscal implications of expanding mandated health benefits, with some senators arguing that incremental premium impacts would be passed through to employers and plan participants.

Senator Thomas expressed concern about cumulative benefit mandates and their effect on premiums, saying that increased costs are ultimately borne by employers and individuals. Supporters replied that the pilot and reporting would produce data to quantify benefits and costs and allow lawmakers to make informed decisions in the next session.

The committee voted to advance the bill (motion recorded as passed 11–5). The committee record shows the measure was advanced as a pilot with reporting expectations to inform future deliberations on broader insurance coverage.