Senate Bill 158, which would eliminate out-of-pocket cost sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging under the state employee health plan, was reported favorably by the Senate Appropriations Committee following supportive debate.

Senator Berman, who presented the bill, said the legislation would remove financial barriers for state employees needing follow-up diagnostic care after initial screenings. "Eliminating out of pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging will improve access and likely result in more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis," Senator Berman told the committee.

The bill’s sponsor framed the proposal as a public-health and fiscal measure. "Early detection of breast cancer, we all know, saves lives. We, as a legislature, must take measures to reduce the overall cost of the health care system," Berman said, citing 2025 estimates that more than 23,000 Floridians will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 3,000 will die of the disease.

Several senators voiced support in debate. Senator Postke, identifying as a fellow survivor, urged removing barriers to follow-up care so initial diagnoses lead to timely treatment. Senator Harrell, a former mammography-center owner, described the clinical consequences of missed follow-up imaging and praised the bill’s narrow, initial focus on state employees.

Georgia McAllen was listed on an appearance card as waiving public testimony in support.

The committee closed debate and called the roll; the clerk announced that Senate Bill 158 was reported favorably. The measure now proceeds in the legislative process as directed by committee rules.

Votes at a glance: the committee called the roll on SB 158 and the clerk announced the bill was reported favorably by the committee.