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Advocates press committee to eliminate out‑of‑pocket costs for diagnostic breast imaging
Summary
H7276 would remove cost sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging after abnormal screening. Survivors, clinicians and advocacy groups told the committee that patient cost barriers delay follow‑up and can lead to later‑stage cancers; insurers raised implementation questions about plan design.
Representative Fogarty reintroduced House Bill 7276 to eliminate out‑of‑pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging that follows an abnormal screening mammogram.
Multiple survivor advocates and health organizations testified in support. Angelica Katz of Susan G. Komen explained that under the Affordable Care Act screening mammograms are preventive and covered without cost sharing, but follow‑up diagnostic tests (MRI, ultrasound, repeat mammography) can carry substantial out‑of‑pocket costs and lead patients to delay care. Survivor Colleen Converse described personal experience with delayed diagnostic testing and testified, “Most middle class and lower class Rhode Islanders do not have an extra $5,000 just lying around” to cover advanced imaging.
Healthcare organizations — the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Rhode Island Kids Count, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, and the Rhode Island Oncology Nursing Society — urged passage, citing evidence that removing cost sharing increases use of recommended follow‑up services and improves early detection. Witnesses noted that 30 states have enacted similar protections and that neighboring Massachusetts and Connecticut have comparable policies.
Blue Cross returned to the lectern to answer implementation questions about plan design, cross‑state care and how state law applies to fully insured plans versus self‑insured/employer‑administered plans. Blue Cross officials said benefits for fully insured plans are subject to state law and noted carriers were willing to engage on implementation details.
What’s next: The committee heard extensive testimony from survivors, clinicians and advocates and asked follow‑up questions of insurers; the bill remains under committee consideration.
