PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota House Commerce and Energy Committee today missed a significant opportunity to make progress against breast cancer, voting to fail legislation on supplemental screenings.
House Bill 1070, sponsored by Rep. Brandei Schaefbauer of Aberdeen, would have required all state-regulated health policies to eliminate patient out-of-pocket costs for medically necessary diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging. It would have required breast diagnostic mammograms (x-rays), breast ultrasounds, and breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to be covered by insurers at no cost share when they meet certain criteria. If enacted, the bill would have allowed South Dakotans to complete the full continuum of breast cancer screening without having to make excruciating financial choices about basic daily needs over their long-term health.
“We’re disappointed that the legislation did not move ahead this year,” American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network South Dakota Government Relations Director Ben Hanson said. “South Dakotans should not have to pay thousands out of pocket to get a clean bill of health. It’s important legislation and we look forward to supporting it again in the future.”