U.S. CONGRESSMAN KAHELE URGES CONGRESS TO MAKE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING FOR BREAST CANCER AFFORDABLE

October 31, 2022
Press Release

HILO, HI – Congressman Kaialiʻi Kahele (HI-02), on the last day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, calls on Congress to make breast cancer diagnostic tests affordable and accessible to all. Currently diagnostic tests that may be required following an initial screening, such as breast ultrasounds, are rarely covered by insurance providers and can cost an average of $250 in out of pocket expenses. 

“We know that early detection of breast cancer saves lives. Congress must do everything in its power to eliminate barriers to care like costly copays, deductibles and additional out-of-pocket expenses that are often associated with breast cancer diagnostic exams,” said Congressman Kaialiʻi Kahele (HI-02). “No one should be denied a potentially life-saving test simply because it is not affordable.”

Congressman Kahele strongly supports the Access to Breast Cancer Diagnostics Act of 2021, legislation that requires insurance companies to cover breast cancer diagnosis in the same way screenings are covered. This bill prohibits private health insurance plans from imposing higher cost-sharing requirements on breast cancer diagnostic examinations than initial breast cancer screening examinations. Diagnostic examinations are generally required after an initial screening detects an abnormality and typically require additional mammogram images (e.g., ultrasound).

Kahele added: “Many of us have a family member, close friend or know someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Some of us have lost loved ones to this disease. This commonsense legislation could be the key to protecting those we love most.”

*The University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center provides the following data on breast cancer in Hawaiʻi:

  • Breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women. 

  • Annually, an average of 1,233 women are diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in Hawai‘i while another 308 are diagnosed with in situ breast cancer, or very early stage tumors that have not invaded surrounding tissue. 

  • An average of 155 women die of breast cancer each year in Hawai‘i. 

  • Invasive breast cancer incidence rates in Hawai‘i increased nearly 1.7% per year over the past 10 years. 

  • Breast cancer incidence is higher among Japanese and Native Hawaiian women compared to Chinese, Filipino, White, other Asian, and women of other race/ethnic groups. Other Asian women had lower incidence than Native Hawaiian, Japanese, White, and women of other race/ethnic groups. 

  • Native Hawaiian women had higher mortality than Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, White, and other Asian women. 

  • Most breast cancers (76%) are diagnosed at early stages (in situ or localized); 22% are diagnosed at advanced stages. 

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