An Arizona lawmaker has introduced a bill that could make getting medically necessary breast-imaging tests more affordable and accessible.
Representative Michelle Peña (R-Yuma) introduced House Bill 2561 in the hopes of eliminating patient out-of-pocket costs for breast imaging deemed to be medically necessary, like breast MRIs and ultrasounds.
Out-of-pocket costs can sometimes stop people from taking these important medical steps to see if they have breast cancer. Experts say early detection of breast cancer is key, as these cases that are diagnosed later can be more deadly, and more difficult and expensive to treat.
Despite decreasing mortality rates, 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will still be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, a recent report from the American Cancer Society found.
Twenty-seven states have already put a similar policy into effect.
Dr. Valerie Sorkin-Wells, a retired OB/GYN who now works with the Arizona Wellness Center for Women, is a breast cancer survivor along with her mother and daughter.
"We have choices so often in regards to do we pay rent or do we get clothing?" Sorkin-Wells said. "And then on top of that then have financial costs of diagnostic imaging. This is a very difficult choice for women to make."
ABC15's Rachel Louse Just talked Sorkin-Wells about the piece of legislation and its importance. Watch the full story in the video player above.
