BISMARCK, N.D. –– House Bill 1283 was given a 4-1 Do Not Pass by the North Dakota Senate Business and Industry Committee on Monday following passage in the House. The bill would put North Dakotans one step closer to the peace of mind they need when it comes to breast cancer diagnostics. North Dakota cancer advocates urge senators to consider fully the deep need for this legislation to assure all get the full continuum of breast cancer screening without having to make excruciating financial choices about basic daily needs over their long-term health.
Not all North Dakotans get everything they need from mammograms and many require follow-up testing because of an abnormal finding on a screening mammogram or supplemental imaging because of certain risk factors. The steps needed for a clean bill of health can cost thousands out of pocket. These patients are often put in position of choosing between a full medical workup or paying for a month’s worth of groceries.
“North Dakota patients should not face large out-of-pocket costs to detect breast cancer early,” said Rep. Karen Karls, who is sponsoring the bill. “Early detection saves lives and money and other states that have done this, like Montana, have found that the finances make sense.”
The proposed legislation 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 at no-cost-share when deemed medically necessary by their physician.