Kathy Fogarty bill would cut costs for follow-up breast cancer diagnostic procedures

Fogarty bill would eliminate cost-sharing for diagnostic or supplemental breast examinations

Rep. Kathleen A. Fogarty (D-Dist. 35, South Kingstown) has introduced legislation to eliminate cost-sharing for follow-up imaging needed after an abnormal mammogram. The legislation was highlighted Tuesday at the State House during a press conference held by the American Cancer Society.

The bill (2025-H 5430) would prohibit an insurance company from imposing any cost-sharing requirements for any diagnostic or supplemental breast examinations.

“Thanks to federal law, most women now have access to mammography screenings as a free preventive service,” said Representative Fogarty. “However, if follow-up imaging is needed, it can lead to hundreds of dollars in out-of-pocket costs. And early detection of breast cancer is not possible without diagnostic follow-up. When it comes to cancer, cost-sharing requirements place difficult hurdles in the path of too many Rhode Islanders — especially those who can ill-afford it.”

If passed, Rhode Island would join 28 other states that have enacted legislation to eliminate cost-sharing for follow-up imaging. Last year, Massachusetts passed the legislation, making Rhode Island the only state in New England without this law.

Testifying in favor of this bill, Ryan T. Strik, Rhode Island government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, told the House Committee on Health and Human Services that “unexpected and unaffordable costs may cause individuals to delay or forego additional imaging tests to rule out or confirm a breast cancer diagnosis. And delayed follow-up is associated with later stage disease at diagnosis.”