Louisiana House Passes Prostate Cancer Screening Coverage Bill, Sending to Governor's Desk

May 20, 2026 – BATON ROUGE, Louisiana. – The House and Senate unanimously passed a bill to make prostate cancer screenings more accessible this week, sending it to the desk of Gov. Jeff Landry. SB 84 would make prostate cancer screenings more affordable for patients at high-risk for the disease by eliminating patient cost-sharing.  

“If passed, this law would have a significant impact on prostate cancer early detection in Louisiana,” said Louisiana Government Relation Director Alice Kline. “We are hopeful Gov. Landry will sign this bill into law.” 

Louisiana has the second highest rate of prostate cancer in the country, with Black Louisianans disproportionally affected. For many Black families in Louisiana, cancer has taken a devastating toll, often because diagnoses come too late. Out-of-pocket costs can be a significant barrier to accessing cancer screening and early detection services, which can help detect cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage. 

“We are grateful for Sen. Brach Myers support of this bill that will improve early detection in Louisiana. The bill unanimously passed both chambers, showing bipartisan support for easing the cancer burden in the state,” said Kline. 

“We would also like to thank co-sponsor Rep. Ed Murray for championing the bill and carrying it on the house floor.” Said Kline. 

Rep. Murray’s father, former longtime state Senator Edwin R. "Ed" Murray, spent more than two decades in the Louisiana Legislature, serving in the House from 1992 to 2005 and in the Senate from 2005 to 2016. He was widely recognized for his work on prostate cancer awareness and early ‑detection policy with an attempt to run a similar bill more than ten years ago. 

SB 84 now carries that legacy forward, marking a personal milestone for his son as the measure advances the same cause Ed Murray championed.