House Bill 12-83 would expand no-cost coverage for breast screening by eliminating out-of-pocket cost sharing for follow-up and supplemental breast imaging when medically indicated; the sponsor said the bill covers screening only and does not mandate coverage for biopsies or treatment.

Representative Karen Carls told the Senate Appropriations Human Resources Committee the change is intended to prevent patients from forgoing medically necessary follow-up imaging because of cost. “This legislation ensures that a patient who needs follow-up or supplemental breast imaging or those at high risk based on personal or family medical history are not forced to forego these medically necessary services due to high out of pocket costs,” Carls said. She cited national estimates of higher treatment costs for delayed-stage diagnoses and said early detection yields better outcomes.

Committee members asked about the cost of advanced imaging without insurance, coverage differences across plans, and whether the bill applies to men (sponsor: breast cancer is rarer but does affect men). After brief discussion, Senator Cleary moved a do-pass recommendation, seconded by Senator Mather; the committee roll call recorded the motion as carried. Senator Mather agreed to carry the bill back to the full committee and then to the floor.

The committee’s recorded roll-call exchange during the motion included senators voting or recorded as absent on the clerk’s call; the transcript records the motion, second and the clerk calling roll and reports “Motion's carried.” The committee did not discuss amendments in the recorded segment.