Morelle co-sponsors ‘Find It Early Act,’ seeking to make breast cancer screenings more accessible
Press Release, Congressman Joe Morelle
ROCHESTER – Today, Congressman Joe Morelle announced legislation he co-sponsors to strengthen resources for early cancer detection. He was joined by local leaders in support of the Find It Early Act building upon last week’s U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ruling requiring all mammography reports and result letters sent to patients to include an assessment of breast density.
“The recent FDA rule requiring breast density assessments for patients is an important step toward improving the outcomes of breast cancer diagnoses—but sadly, not every woman in our country has access to these essential screening services,” Morelle said. “That’s why I’m advocating for legislation that would increase accessibility and coverage for additional tests. It’s simple: the earlier we can detect cancer, the better. This legislation will help us achieve that goal and save lives.”
Last week, the FDA issued a ruling requiring all mammography reports and result letters sent to patients to include an assessment of breast density. Breast density measures how much fibroglandular tissue there is in a woman’s breast, and higher amounts can make a woman more likely to develop breast cancer and make it more difficult to detect the presence of cancer on a mammogram.
For women with higher breast density or a family history of breast cancer, follow-up screenings are required. Depending on their health insurance, most are forced to pay out of pocket for these additional tests, which can cost more than $1,000. Those who cannot afford this cost often choose to forego or delay these critical screenings, leading to later-stage diagnoses. The Find It Early Act would ensure all health insurance plans cover screening and diagnostic mammograms, breast ultrasounds, and MRIs with no cost-sharing.
Christina Thompson, Executive Director of the Breast Cancer Coalition, said: “While mammograms have never been a perfect diagnostic tool regarding breast cancer, they remain a critical part of an individual’s healthcare plan. We are pleased to see recent legislation focused on improving equity in access, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of income or background, can benefit from these screenings. This step toward greater healthcare equality helps reduce disparities in cancer outcomes. Access for all is essential to improving overall health and survival rates.”
Rep. Morelle also sponsors the Screening for Communities to Receive Early and Equitable Needed Service (SCREENS) for Cancer Act, to fund life-saving breast and cervical cancer screening services for low-income and underinsured patients, and the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act, to provide access to support and medical care for individuals with metastatic breast cancer.
