SNMMI applauds Senators Klobuchar (D-MN) and Marshall (R-KS) for introducing the Find It Early Act (S.B. 5141) on September 23, 2024.This bill is the companion to H.R. 3086.
The bill would ensure that all health insurance plans cover screening and diagnostic breast imaging with no out-of-pocket costs for women with dense breasts or those at high risk for breast cancer.
SNMMI strongly supports the Act, and our members have advocated for its strengthening by including molecular breast imaging (MBI) as a screening option. Our team met with staff from both House and Senate sponsors to express our opinion and educate them on the importance of MBI as a screening option. SNMMI was pleased to learn that molecular breast imaging was included as a modality covered in the Senate version of the Find It Early Act.
Today, 1 in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer, and 71% of breast cancer cases occur in women with dense breasts. Unfortunately, imaging technologies that can detect cancer in dense breasts are often unavailable because insurance does not cover them, and patients cannot afford the high out-of-pocket costs for these important scans.
SNMMI will continue monitoring this legislation and keep members updated on any new information or Calls to Action.