MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama House Insurance Committee passed multiple bills Wednesday that would increase access to crucial cancer care for Alabamians with state-regulated health insurance plans.
The first two, House Bill 40 and Senate Bill 19, would eliminate cost sharing for lifesaving prostate cancer screenings for high-risk men over 40. If it goes into law, Alabama will become the tenth state in the country to enact a prostate cancer screening coverage bill.
Nearly 5,500 Alabamians will receive a prostate cancer diagnosis in 2026. Some are at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer than others, including those who have one or more first-degree relatives with a prostate cancer history and African American men. Prostate cancer survival rates increase when detected early, which emphasizes the importance of access to screenings.
The third, House Bill 300, would help patients better afford breast cancer screenings, especially if providers determine follow-up diagnostic imaging is needed. HB300, with its companion Senate Bill 177, would make sure any state-regulated health insurance plan covers diagnostic imaging without any cost-sharing, including a deductible.
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. These follow-up tests, such as a diagnostic mammogram, MRI or ultrasound, are medically recommended next steps to determine if an individual has cancer. However, barriers like cost can keep people from getting them. While screening mammograms are free to most insured women starting at age 40, follow-up testing often results in out-of-pocket costs for patients.
Nearly 5,000 patients will get breast cancer in Alabama in 2026. Delaying or skipping follow-up diagnostic tests can result in later-stage cancer diagnoses and higher healthcare costs. In 2024, more than 1 million women were estimated to experience a delay in follow-up testing and imaging due to associated costs.
“ACS CAN applauds lawmakers for their swift action this legislative session in working to address the cancer burden,” said Jane Adams, government relations director for ACS CAN in Alabama. “Everyone deserves to have the screenings and tests they need, without cost barriers, so they can catch and treat cancer early, leading to better survival rates.”
Both bills now go to the House floor for votes.