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Senate committee hears bill to eliminate PERS cost-sharing for diagnostic, supplemental breast imaging
Summary
Supporters told the Senate Industry and Business Committee that out-of-pocket costs for follow-up breast imaging deter patients from completing diagnosis; PERS staff and business groups raised cost and rollout concerns and the bill would trigger a required PERS pilot and report.
The Senate Industry and Business Committee held a hearing on House Bill 1283, a bill sponsored in the House to prohibit cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging for members of the North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Proponents said the change would remove a financial barrier to follow-up care after screening mammograms and improve early cancer detection; PERS staff and some business groups warned of premium impacts and described the bill as requiring a PERS pilot and further review before any broader rollout.
Representative Karen Carls, the House sponsor, told the committee the measure would ensure “essential breast cancer screenings including follow-up and supplemental imaging are provided at no cost share for those who need them regardless of gender.” She and other proponents emphasized the bill does not add coverage but eliminates cost sharing for services already included in the state’s essential health benefits benchmark.
Nut graf: Testimony from physicians, patient advocates and public-health groups described cases in which individuals delayed or declined medically recommended diagnostic imaging because of…
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