Committee reports bill expanding coverage for mammograms and supplemental breast cancer screening

Senate Banking and Insurance Committee — Senators voted to report Senate Bill 1578 favorably following sponsor remarks that the bill expands coverage for mammograms and supplemental breast cancer screenings.

Sponsor (identified in the transcript as Rep Davis and later referenced as Senator Davis during the hearing) said SB 1578 "defines mammogram" and "defines supplemental breast cancer screening," requires coverage for women 25 and older (or as otherwise adjusted), and modifies private insurance policies, group policies and HMO contracts to provide mammogram and supplemental screening coverage. The sponsor said the bill would change frequency requirements so that women between ages 40 and 50 would be eligible for one mammogram per year rather than one every two years, and would permit supplemental screening per physician recommendation.

The sponsor said the Florida Medicaid program already provides these services and that the Agency for Health Care Administration (ACA) and Florida Medicaid would mitigate operational costs; the sponsor described the bill's fiscal impact on ACA as minimal. Sasha Carter, Florida's Insurance Consumer Advocate, was recorded as waiving in support.

The committee recorded a roll call and reported SB 1578 favorably.

The hearing did not show additional amendments or regulatory text changes; the sponsor asked for favorable support and indicated follow-up as the bill moves through the process.