Early Breast Cancer Screening Bill Unanimously Passes PA Senate

HARRISBURG, PA – The Pennsylvania Senate Monday unanimously passed Senate Bill 8, a first-of-its-kind in the nation comprehensive breast cancer screening bill.

Senate Bill 8 calls for removing out-of-pocket costs and mandating 100 percent coverage for preventative breast cancer screenings for high-risk patients.

The bill was sponsored by Republican state Senators Tracy Pennycuick, western Montgomery County; Devlin Robinson, Allegheny County; and Kim Ward, president pro tempore of Westmoreland County.

The bill, which calls for enhanced insurance for breast cancer, moved to the state House for approval. If the House passed the proposed law, it will be sent to Gov. Josh Shapiro for a signature.

“Plain and simple, early detection saves lives,” Pennycuick said. “By eliminating the cost barriers associated with cancer screenings and testing, more women will have the opportunity to receive these lifesaving procedures.

"I am proud to work with my colleagues, Sens. Ward and Robinson, to advance this important legislation.”

The proposed legislation includes coverage of all costs associated with supplemental screenings by MRI or Ultrasound, which are important for women with dense breast tissue.

The lawmakers said three of the scariest words in the English language are spoken thousands of times a day in doctors' offices across the country: “You have cancer.”

This year, more than 12,000 Pennsylvania women will hear those words as they are diagnosed with breast cancer.