Pennsylvania aims to expand breast cancer screenings

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania lawmakers are sending a bill to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk that they say will save lives by helping patients diagnose breast cancer more quickly. The bill passed the state House unanimously Wednesday after it won unanimous Senate approval last month. Shapiro, a Democrat, says he’ll sign it. Under the bill, health insurers must cover out-of-pocket costs for patients who are deemed to be at risk for breast cancer when they undergo a second screening during a coverage year. Insurers also must cover patients’ costs for genetic counseling and genetic testing for the gene mutations that raise the risk of breast cancer. Those out-of-pocket costs can run into the thousands.