The $1.3 trillion spending bill signed by President Trump March 23 included critical protections granted by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which ensures women who want to get regular mammograms keep insurance coverage with no copay.
Both the American College of Radiology (ACR) and Society of Breast Imaging “applaud” the extension of the protections, according to an ACR press release.
These protections, passed in 2015 and extended in 2017, mandated insurance coverage for screening every one to two years starting at age 40, as outlined in the 2002 United States Preventative Task Force (USPSTF) breast cancer screening recommendations, the release notes.
In 2009 and 2016 the USPSTF recommended biennial screening for those ages 50 to 74, which, according to the release, would result in up to 13,770 more breast cancer deaths each year in the U.S., along with many more women who would endure extensive treatment than if their cancers had been detected earlier via mammogram.
Mammogram coverage will also help ensure breast cancer screening in underserved areas, where cancer rates are higher due to less frequent screening. This includes African-American women, who are 42 percent more likely to die from breast cancer than white women, and rural populations who are less likely to be screened than their metropolitan counterparts.
Matt joined Chicago’s TriMed team in 2018 covering all areas of health imaging after two years reporting on the hospital field. He holds a bachelor’s in English from UIC, and enjoys a good cup of coffee and an interesting documentary.