The Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation (VBCF) told the commission that many patients who receive abnormal mammogram results face financial and logistical barriers that can delay diagnosis and treatment.

"I field a lot of phone calls from folks," said Erin Staglider, VBCF director of programs, describing cases in which insured patients faced diagnostic bills of hundreds to thousands of dollars and uninsured people did not qualify for Every Woman's Life because they exceeded income thresholds. She described a VBCF diagnostic fund that began in 2022 to cover underinsured patients' diagnostic imaging, biopsy and pathology costs; the fund has helped more than 1,000 Virginians.

Kirsten Millar, VBCF's director of policy, reviewed recent advocacy results and new state law changes. Millar said the General Assembly passed a measure, signed this year, that prohibits cost sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams (diagnostic mammograms, breast ultrasound and breast MRI) in state‑regulated health plans effective Jan. 1. VBCF staff said the law does not reach all employer‑sponsored plans and urged federal or employer‑level action for broader coverage.

VBCF advocates asked the commission to consider state investments to backstop federally funded programs such as Every Woman's Life, citing an instance this summer when federal grant timing briefly imperiled program continuity. They also urged incentives to grow oncology and related workforce pipelines (loan forgiveness, residency slots), expansion of mobile mammography coverage and state support for clinical trial recruitment and diversity.

The presenters noted ongoing barriers: lack of knowledge about screening guidelines and genetic testing, patient fear of diagnosis, high out‑of‑pocket costs for diagnostic follow‑up and the uneven geographic distribution of oncology services. Millar flagged medical‑debt reforms that VBCF supports and noted continued work on paid family medical leave to help patients remain employed during treatment.

Why it matters: diagnostic follow‑up after abnormal screening is time sensitive; up‑front cost sharing has discouraged timely return for evaluation. A state law eliminating cost sharing for diagnostic breast imaging in state‑regulated plans removes one financial barrier for covered Virginians, but advocates said other gaps remain for underinsured and uninsured patients and for plan types outside the law's scope.

What the commission heard: VBCF urged contingency state funding for screening programs, workforce incentives, expanded mobile mammography and broader insurance coverage for diagnostic care and pathology.