As Governor Daniel McKee prepares for his State of the State address, patient advocates are highlighting the results of a new report by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), which found that over 70% of commercially-insured patients encountered out-of-pocket expenses for follow-up breast cancer diagnostic tests in 2023. These follow-up tests, such as a diagnostic mammogram, MRI, ultrasound or biopsy, are medically recommended next steps to determine if an individual may or may not have cancer; however, barriers like cost can keep people from getting them.
While screening mammograms are free to most insured women starting at age 40, follow-up testing often results in out-of-pocket cost sharing for patients. Rhode Island state lawmakers are looking to address the out-of-pocket expenses serving as financial barriers to residents’ access to potentially lifesaving screening. This legislative session, leaders will have the opportunity to support a bipartisan proposal to remove costs associated with diagnostic and supplemental imaging for high-risk patients. This will ensure that out-of-pocket obligations do not discourage Rhode Islanders from completing the breast cancer screening process.
“In the fight against cancer, knowledge is power, especially around a patient’s diagnosis. Cancer screenings equip patients with lifesaving knowledge and, where we can, we must empower Rhode Islanders to seek out this information through early detection tools, like diagnostic breast imaging,” said Ryan Strik, Rhode Island Government Relations Director for ACS CAN.
“State lawmakers will have the chance to eliminate a real barrier that Rhode Islanders face in their pursuit of information about what’s going on in their bodies. Out-of-pocket costs should not be the reason that Rhode Island’s mothers and daughters miss out on getting screened and the opportunity to confirm or rule out a cancer diagnosis as early as possible. ACS CAN is proud to partner with Susan G. Komen Foundation in supporting this forthcoming proposal to improve Rhode Islanders’ access to breast cancer screening.”
Affordability concerns for the cancer community in Rhode Island are not limited to expenses associated with screening. The burden extends across the continuum and, for patients who rely on prescription drugs to treat their disease, the high costs can be crippling and unsustainable.
Current practices in Rhode Island make it so that a patient using copay assistance to fill a prescription for a lifesaving medication may incur hefty unexpected medical bills—a result of insurers or pharmacy benefit managers not applying copay assistance payments to a patient’s deductible. Last legislative session, lawmakers laid out a plan to address this discriminatory practice. It received support across the legislature, and cancer patients are eager to see leaders take up the issue this session.
Strik continued, “Rhode Islanders undergoing treatment for cancer or a chronic illness deal with enough unpleasant surprises. They should not also have to deal with surprise medical bills. The cancer community is hopeful that lawmakers will come together to ensure patients across the state face fewer barriers to critical care and have access to affordable and predictable out-of-pocket costs for lifesaving medication.”
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocates for evidence-based public policies to reduce the cancer burden for everyone. We engage our volunteers across the country to make their voices heard by policymakers at every level of government. We believe everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. Since 2001, as the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN has successfully advocated for billions of dollars in cancer research funding, expanded access to quality affordable health care, and advanced proven tobacco control measures. We stand with our volunteers, working to make cancer a top priority for policymakers in cities, states and our nation’s capital. Join the fight by visiting www.fightcancer.org.