ACR, AHRA, ASRT and more lend support to bill that would require coverage of supplemental breast imaging
Over 50 leading medical organizations are lending support to legislation targeting insurance coverage for supplemental breast imaging.
The Find It Early Act would ensure all women have access to supplemental exams, such as ultrasound and MRI, with no out-of-pocket costs. The legislation was previously proposed in 2022 by Reps. Rosa DeLauro, D-Con., and Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., before being reintroduced again in November.
The proposal has garnered bipartisan support, along with backing by celebrity news anchor Katie Couric, who has publicly shared her own experience with a breast cancer. Couric previously described the bill as “a critical step toward improving access” to lifesaving screenings.
The Find It Early Act has now garnered support from notable organizations in imaging including the American College of Radiology (ACR), American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) and the Association for Medical Imaging Management (AHRA). The Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Radiology Business Management Association (RMBA) and the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, just to name a few, are among other signatories.
“The Find it Early Act will help ensure that when a woman is told that her mammogram might not be enough, she will have access to follow-up care regardless of her insurance type," the statement reads. "She will not have to struggle to pay for additional imaging or choose between household bills and a recommended test...because the cost of the exam has strained her budget. We strongly support this timely legislation, which will provide lifesaving examinations for the many American women who need them.”
Numerous prior studies have shown that women who face out-of-pocket costs for supplemental imaging are significantly less likely to complete the recommended exams. Without guaranteed coverage, these women are at risk of being diagnosed with cancer once it has progressed, making it more difficult to treat. Advocates of the bill believe it could help avert such scenarios. About 30 states have now passed local laws requiring coverage of supplemental imaging.
Read more about the Find It Early Act here.
In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She began covering the medical imaging industry for Innovate Healthcare in 2021.