Help Increase Access to Life-Saving Breast Imaging!

Support SB 121/AB 117 to ensure critical access to life-saving breast imaging

You have the opportunity to take action on legislation in Wisconsin that will save lives. Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in the Wisconsin State Legislature requiring health plans to provide no-cost supplemental or diagnostic imaging to patients at increased risk for breast cancer and those with dense breasts. Roughly two out of five women have dense breast tissue where a mammogram alone cannot effectively detect evidence of breast cancer and those with dense breast tissue may be 4-6 times more likely to get breast cancer, making early detection critical.

Senate Bill 121/Assembly Bill 117 removes the cost barrier by requiring health insurance policies to cover diagnostic or supplemental breast imaging for those at increased risk of cancer and those with dense breast tissue, making it easier for women to receive additional life-saving testing.

Health insurers in Wisconsin are currently required to provide one annual mammogram to women over 50, and two to women aged 45-49 who meet certain criteria, at no out-of-pocket cost to the patient. Unfortunately, supplemental or diagnostic breast imaging across the country can range from $234 to over $1,000 in out-of-pocket costs, which imposes a major financial barrier.

This reasonable legislation ensures that those who need supplemental breast imaging have the same access to effective care as those without dense breasts or other risk factors and removes the cost barrier, so they aren’t forced to choose between paying a household bill and receiving potentially life-saving imaging.

Access to preventative breast imaging is critical to catching breast cancer early and ensuring that women can fight back. The Wisconsin State Legislature must pass SB 121/AB 117 – because early detection saves lives!

Complete the form below – along with a message that can be personalized – and you’ll instantly communicate with key members of the Wisconsin Legislature on why it’s important to increase critical access to life-saving imaging.

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Dear Legislator,

I’m writing to ask for your support of SB 121/AB 117, which provides critical access to life-saving imaging for women at increased risk of breast cancer.

In Wisconsin, health insurers are required to provide an annual mammogram to women over 50, and two to women aged 45-49 at no out-of-pocket cost. Yet 40% of women have dense breast tissue, rendering standard mammograms less effective against detecting breast cancer. SB 121/AB 117 addresses this disparity by providing access to supplemental and diagnostic imaging to those with dense breast tissue and those at increased risk of developing breast cancer, ensuring they have access to the care they need to detect cancer early and save lives.

Women with dense breast tissue are about 4-6 times more likely to develop cancer compared to those with non-dense tissue. Traditional mammograms are only 56% effective in detecting breast cancer in these women, as dense tissue may mask a tumor. Early detection improves survival rates for women and lowers healthcare costs. Out of pocket costs for necessary supplemental and diagnostic imaging can range from $234 to over $1,000. Moreover, the costs of care if cancer is not caught early is often over $100,000, proving to be a serious deterrent from people receiving the care they need. Data from the American Cancer Society shows that 51% of cancer patients and survivors have debt related to their cancer care and of those who had debt, 45% delayed or avoided medical care because of cost concerns.

With SB 121/AB 117, we can provide access to effective breast imaging and ultimately save lives! Women across the state hope that they can count on your support of this bipartisan legislation. Thank you!

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