Press Room

Share

Breast Cancer Diagnostic Bill Clears First Hurdle, Gets ‘Do Pass’

HB 1283 Would Require State-regulated Health Policies Eliminate Patient Out-of-Pocket Costs For Medically Necessary Breast Imaging Beyond Mammogram

February 6, 2025

BISMARCK, N.D. -- The North Dakota House Business, Industry and Labor Committee on Wednesday gave a “do pass recommendation” on legislation that, if successfully passed, will lead to better outcomes in the fight against breast cancer. 

House Bill 1283, sponsored by Rep. Karen Karls of Bismarck, would require all state-regulated health policies to eliminate patient out-of-pocket costs for medically necessary diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging. It would require breast diagnostic mammograms (x-rays), breast ultrasounds, and breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans be covered by insurers at no-cost-share when they meet certain criteria. It would allow North 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. 

“North Dakota patients should not face large out-of-pocket costs to detect breast cancer early,” Karls said. “Early detection saves lives and money and other states that have done this, like Montana, have found that the finances make sense.”

HB 1283 now moves on to the House Appropriations Committee before heading to a full floor vote in the House and would then head to the Senate for final approval.
 

More Press Releases AboutBreast and Cervical Cancer, Remove Hurdles to Cancer Care, North Dakota

Media Contacts

Shawn O'Neal
Senior Regional Media Advocacy Manager
[email protected]
208-596-1314

Related Press Releases

February 10, 2026

Rural Populations Face Greater Barriers as Non-Medical Costs Hinder Clinical Trial Access

Today, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) was joined by 24 other organizations in proposing the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General adopt a new regulatory safe harbor from the Anti-kickback Statute that would allow clinical trial sponsors to financially support patients to offset indirect or non-medical costs associated with clinical trial participation, such as travel, parking and lodging.

Read More
February 2, 2026

Cervical Cancer Screening Legislation Will Save Lives of Oregonians 

SALEM, Oregon –– Cervical cancer screenings save many Oregonian lives, but too often patients must make significant financial sacrifice for a full, clear diagnosis and some simply cannot afford to get to the bottom of a potentially deadly initial screening result.

Read more
October 14, 2025

Millions of North Carolinians’ Medical Debt Erased

RALEIGH, N.C.

Read more