House Insurance Committee reports bill to require insurers cover supplemental breast screenings without cost sharing

Harrisburg — The House Insurance Committee on an internally convened session reported Senate Bill 88 unanimously, a measure that would amend the insurance company law to require health insurers to provide coverage for multiple supplemental or diagnostic breast exams without cost sharing.

The bill’s prime sponsor, Senator Frank Ferry, said the measure expands protections created by prior legislation known as Act 1 and would extend no‑cost follow‑up diagnostics to people at average risk for breast cancer, not only those identified as high risk. “This actually will expand that to average risk individuals,” Ferry said, adding the bill covers mammograms, ultrasounds and supplemental and diagnostic screenings without cost sharing.

The provision matters because, Ferry and other supporters said, initial screenings can be inconclusive and patients sometimes face out‑of‑pocket costs for follow‑up tests. “One of the hiccups we have found with Act 1 since its enactment is, high risk women may be able to get the initial diagnostic screening … and the follow‑up diagnostics will not be covered,” Ferry said. He framed the bill in personal terms, noting his wife’s diagnosis at age 40 and saying the proposal seeks to close gaps for people who do not meet high‑risk criteria.

During committee discussion, Senator Murzke asked whether actuarial or financial analyses show the screenings produce net savings for insurers by enabling earlier, less‑intensive treatments. Ferry said he did not have actuarial or financial numbers available at the hearing. Representative Malgari expressed support for the bill and thanked Ferry for sharing his experience.

Stakeholders named in committee testimony as supporting the bill included Susan G. Komen, the Breast Cancer Coalition, the Radiology Association, the Hospital Association, the Medical Society and the American Cancer Society. Ferry also said “26 other states have filed Act 1,” noting other states’ movement on similar laws.

Formally, the committee reported Senate Bill 88 out of the House Insurance Committee with no negative votes. The committee chair announced the bill was reported unanimously; no roll‑call tally was provided in committee remarks.

Next steps for the bill were not specified during the meeting transcript; the committee did not record any amendments or conditional directions to staff in the discussion.