Susan G. Komen® Applauds Bipartisan Reintroduction of the Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act to Eliminate Financial Barriers to Life-Saving Imaging
Susan G. Komen®, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, has praised a major bipartisan and bicameral effort in Congress aimed at removing financial obstacles that prevent women from accessing critical breast imaging services. This week, members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives reintroduced the Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis (ABCD) Act, a legislative initiative designed to ensure that cost is no longer a barrier to early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer.
The ABCD Act is led by a group of dedicated lawmakers, including Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) in the House, and Senators Jeanne Shaheen (NH) and Katie Britt (AL) in the Senate. Their bipartisan leadership reflects the urgent need to make early breast cancer detection accessible and affordable for all individuals, regardless of their income or insurance status.
Breaking Down Financial Barriers to Breast Imaging
Currently, federal law mandates that screening mammograms—the standard initial tool for breast cancer detection—be covered without cost-sharing under most insurance plans. However, when additional imaging is needed to clarify a potential concern, patients often face significant out-of-pocket costs. Follow-up tests such as diagnostic mammograms, ultrasounds, and breast MRIs can run from hundreds to even thousands of dollars.
These unexpected costs discourage many women from obtaining the follow-up imaging they need. In fact, it is estimated that over 1.1 million women postponed or forewent necessary breast imaging in 2024 alone due to financial hardship. Tragically, delays in diagnosis can lead to breast cancers being discovered at more advanced stages, when treatments are less effective, more invasive, more expensive—and survival rates drop dramatically.
“For too many women, the high cost of breast imaging is a devastating roadblock to breast cancer detection,” said Molly Guthrie, Vice President of Policy & Advocacy at Susan G. Komen. “No one should have to choose between paying their bills and finding out if they have cancer. This legislation will help make timely access to needed imaging more affordable so that breast cancers are caught early, and more lives can be saved.”
Guthrie expressed deep gratitude to Representatives Dingell, Wasserman Schultz, and Fitzpatrick, along with Senators Shaheen and Britt, for their leadership and commitment to this life-saving issue. She also urged Congress to act swiftly in passing the ABCD Act, emphasizing that patients across the nation are depending on immediate and meaningful reform.
Komen Advocates Unite in Washington to Demand Action
The reintroduction of the ABCD Act coincides with an important event on Susan G. Komen’s calendar: the 2025 Komen Advocacy Summit, taking place from April 28 to 30 in Washington, D.C. This week, nearly 200 passionate Komen advocates from across the country have gathered in the nation’s capital to meet directly with lawmakers, share personal stories, and push for systemic change in breast cancer policy.
The Summit’s agenda is clear: advance comprehensive policy solutions that accelerate breast cancer research, eliminate financial and administrative barriers to care, and ensure that high-quality, affordable breast cancer treatment is available to all individuals, regardless of socioeconomic background, geographic location, or race.
“Saving lives from breast cancer starts with advancing the pursuit of new breast cancer treatments and ensuring everyone has access to the care they need—when they need it,” Guthrie emphasized. “With more than 310,000 people expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. this year, and over 40,000 projected deaths, we must act now. Experts agree that as many as one-third of these deaths are preventable with access to existing treatments. That’s the difference access makes—and it’s why we’re here.”
Broader Legislative Priorities for the 119th Congress
Beyond the ABCD Act, Komen advocates are also urging members of the 119th Congress to take several additional steps to support breast cancer patients and survivors:
- Restore Funding for the Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP): Komen is calling for full restoration of funding for the BCRP at the Department of Defense. This program has been pivotal in driving groundbreaking research advancements that have improved outcomes for breast cancer patients across the globe.
- Strengthen Early Detection Programs: Advocates are pushing for increased funding for the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP), a vital initiative that provides uninsured and underinsured individuals access to free or low-cost breast and cervical cancer screenings.
- Pass the SCREENS for Cancer Act: This legislation aims to bolster screening rates and improve education around the importance of early detection, particularly among underserved populations.
By championing these policy priorities, Susan G. Komen® and its advocates are striving to create a future where fewer lives are lost to breast cancer—and where no one faces a late-stage diagnosis simply because they could not afford necessary imaging or treatment.
A Shared Mission: Saving Lives
Breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent cancers affecting women worldwide. While survival rates have improved significantly in recent decades, especially when cancers are detected early, disparities in access to care continue to undermine progress.
Removing financial barriers to diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging is a critical piece of the solution. The Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act offers a powerful tool to achieve this by eliminating surprise costs that deter timely follow-up after an abnormal screening result.
Susan G. Komen®’s mission is rooted in a commitment to saving lives, and the organization is resolute in its belief that early detection should never be a luxury available only to the privileged. By supporting the ABCD Act and related measures, Congress has an opportunity to ensure that financial concerns never again delay or deny someone the chance to fight breast cancer at its most treatable stage.
Susan G. Komen® encourages individuals across the country to raise their voices in support of the Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act and related advocacy efforts. You can:
- Contact your Senators and Representatives and urge them to co-sponsor and pass the ABCD Act.
- Share your personal story to illustrate the real-world impact of financial barriers to breast imaging.
- Participate in local and national Komen advocacy initiatives to amplify the call for equitable breast cancer care.
Together, with continued advocacy and legislative action, we can build a future where everyone has access to the breast cancer care they need—when they need it most.
