The North Dakota Senate recently rejected a bill that aimed to decrease the cost of breast cancer screenings for state employees. House Bill 1283 would have eliminated out-of-pocket expenses for diagnostic and supplementary breast examinations, including mammograms, MRIs, and ultrasounds. Despite receiving a favorable recommendation from the Senate Appropriations Committee, the bill fell short in a close 24-22 vote on the Senate floor.
The proposed legislation intended to ensure that health insurance coverage provided through the Public Employees Retirement System did not impose deductibles, co-payments, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing requirements for these essential screenings. However, concerns about the potential impact on insurance premiums and overall costs led to the bill’s defeat.
Advocates for the bill argued that removing financial barriers to screenings would encourage early detection of breast cancer and ultimately save lives. While the outcome is disappointing for supporters, the conversation surrounding affordable access to preventive care for breast cancer is likely to continue in North Dakota.
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