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There's only one problem with a recently passed state Senate bill expanding insurance coverage of breast cancer screening in Pennsylvania -- it only covers half the population.
Senate Bill 8 specifies that minimum coverage required includes all costs associated with one supplemental breast screening every year, eliminating out-of-pocket costs associated with BRCA-related genetic testing and counseling as well as supplemental screening such as breast MRI and ultrasound for women at high-risk. High-risk conditions covered by the bill include, dense breast tissue, personal history of breast cancer, family history of breast cancer, genetic predisposition and prior radiation therapy.
It's important to acknowledge that the bill will increase the cost to insurers and, in the end, those paying for insurance in Pennsylvania. That cost is worth it when you consider the expanded screenings can be life-saving for those whose cancer may not be caught in a regular screening.
But Senate Bill 8 references women, which means the expanded coverage requirement won't apply to men. As the Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance points out, the number of men with breast cancer has steadily risen over the past 10 years, with roughly 2,800 male breast cancer diagnoses expected in 2023 and 530 deaths. The mortality rate for male breast cancer cases is 19% higher than female breast cancer. There may not be as many diagnosed breast cancer cases in men when it comes to the sheer number of cases, but the mortality rate is a serious matter. Treatments for breast cancer are largely the same for men and women, yet Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance officials say they regularly see men denied treatment or testing by insurance companies due to legislative or insurance contractual language that is gender specific.
The fix here is simple -- simply change the word women to people. The state House of Representatives can make the legislative tweak and have the new bill approved again by the state Senate. Senate Bill 8 is a good bill. It can be made even better by changing one word.