House passes bill to expand insurance coverage for breast screenings after emotional floor debate

The Arizona House on June 2 approved Senate Bill 11-65, a change to state insurance law that lawmakers said will expand coverage for breast-cancer screenings and related early-detection services.

Supporters framed the measure as a life-saving, preventive step. “Breast cancer is one of the most survivable cancers with early detection,” Representative Gutierrez said on the floor, urging colleagues to support the bill and noting that uninsured or underinsured women often cannot afford basic screening. Representative Villegas, who said breast cancer runs in her family, described personal losses and said early screening can mean the difference between life and death.

Opponents cited cost concerns. Representative Allen said he opposed mandatory coverage mandates because “these kinds of regulations drive up our health care costs” and argued the market needs flexibility to keep insurance affordable. Representative Allen recorded his vote as a no even while praising the underlying purpose of earlier versions of the policy.

After several lawmakers used the floor to explain their votes and describe personal experiences, the clerk recorded the final action and ordered the bill conveyed to the Senate.

The bill passed on third reading; the House journal and clerk recorded the chamber’s action for transmittal to the Senate. The measure will now proceed through Senate formalities and, if enacted, would change state insurance obligations as specified in the bill text.

Lawmakers speaking on the bill repeatedly emphasized the tension between expanding preventive coverage and concerns about premium costs. No appropriations were reported on the floor during the discussion; supporters said the public-health benefits and potential long-term cost savings justified the coverage change.