Gov. Stitt’s Veto of Breast Cancer Screening Bill Puts Oklahoma Women at Risk

ACS CAN is disappointed by Governor Kevin Stitt’s veto of a bill aimed at expanding access to supplemental breast cancer screening tests.  

House Bill 1389 by Rep. Melissa Provenzano, would eliminate out-of-pocket costs and expand access to supplemental imaging for women with elevated risk factors, including those who may need additional screening despite no abnormal findings. 

Unfortunately, this veto will have real-world consequences for women who need supplemental breast cancer screening because of personal risk factors. Out-of-pocket costs can create a barrier to screening causing some women to put off needed imaging tests. Delayed testing can result in women being diagnosed with later stage cancers, which are more difficult and costly to treat. 

A recent report by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) found that over 70% of commercially insured patients encountered out-of-pocket expenses for follow-up breast cancer diagnostic tests in 2023.  

The following is a statement from ACS CAN Oklahoma and Arkansas Government Relations Director, Matt Glanville: 

“Gov. Kevin Stitt’s veto of House Bill 1389 is a huge, missed opportunity to ensure more Oklahomans, regardless of income or insurance type, can afford the critical follow up testing required after a mammogram. Women at higher risk of breast cancer deserve access to the imaging they need, when they need it. Out-of-pocket costs are a real barrier for women who need additional imaging either because of an abnormal finding or because of certain risk factors. 

“House Bill 1389 earned strong bipartisan support and cleared the two-thirds majority threshold in both chambers. This is a clear signal that lawmakers understand the importance of expanding access to breast imaging for women at high risk. 

“ACS CAN and our partners in public health advocacy will be working hard to build the support needed to override any vetoes of legislative efforts to ensure that more Oklahomans are able to benefit from advances in testing and treatment regardless of where they live. 

“Just across the border, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed both a breast imaging bill, and a genetic testing bill into law this year, demonstrating that expanding access to early detection is not only possible, but a bipartisan priority.”