Sen. Kim Ward and Pat Halpin-Murphy: Ensuring no-cost diagnostic breast imaging for Pa. women

Two years ago, when Act 1 of 2023 was passed unanimously, Pennsylvania became the first state in the nation to require insurers to cover supplemental breast cancer screenings such as MRIs and ultrasounds, as well as BRCA-related genetic testing and counseling for high-risk individuals — all at no cost. The law didn’t just make history; it set a benchmark other states aim to follow.

Already, Act 1 has made a real difference. Across Pennsylvania, women who once skipped supplemental MRIs or genetic testing because of the cost are now getting these lifesaving screenings. Families who feared getting a bill they couldn’t afford now have access to care that can catch cancer earlier, when it is most treatable.

That law was lifesaving, but it left many patients with abnormal screening results, facing out-of-pocket costs for follow-up diagnostic imaging. Delays from that gap can mean more advanced disease, costlier treatment or, worse still, lives lost. For individuals across Pennsylvania, that can mean the impossible choice between paying the bills or getting the care they need.

That’s why we have joined with Sen. Frank Farry, R-Bucks County, to support Senate Bill 88, the logical next step. SB 88 would guarantee that when a screening shows something suspicious or a patient has symptoms, diagnostic mammograms, breast MRIs and ultrasounds are covered at no cost for individuals insured under Pennsylvania law, regardless of whether someone is considered “high risk” or “average risk.”

SB 88 does more than extend coverage — it creates continuity from screening to follow-up diagnostics to earlier detection. By removing a major financial barrier, it ensures Pennsylvanians aren’t forced to delay or skip critical care. Today, those costs can reach thousands of dollars, putting too many lives at risk.

For patients, for families and for Pennsylvania’s health outcomes, passing SB 88 isn’t just good health policy, it’s the fulfillment of what Act 1 promised.

It means people won’t have to worry about how to pay for follow-up imaging and that a suspicious result won’t come with a financial burden that forces impossible choices. It means families across Pennsylvania can focus on supporting each other through early detection and treatment, rather than facing added stress and uncertainty over costs. SB 88 ensures that lifesaving care is accessible and puts the health of Pennsylvanians first.

Early detection saves lives — and cost should never stand in the way.

Sen. Kim Ward is Pennsylvania Senate president pro tempore. Pat Halpin-Murphy is president and founder of the PA Breast Cancer Coalition.