Arizona Bill Aims to End Cost Barrier for Critical Breast Cancer Tests

PHOENIX, AZ – January 16, 2026 – Arizona lawmakers are considering new legislation that could remove a significant financial hurdle for thousands of individuals needing follow-up breast cancer screenings. Introduced by Senator Hildy Angius (R-Bullhead City), Senate Bill 1165 seeks to eliminate all out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles and copayments, for medically necessary diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging.

Advocates, including the leading breast cancer organization Susan G. Komen®, argue that the bill is a critical step toward ensuring equitable access to early cancer detection. While annual screening mammograms are often covered by insurance at no cost to the patient under the Affordable Care Act, the financial reality changes dramatically if that initial screening reveals a potential abnormality.

“Nobody should be forced to skip medical care that helps to detect breast cancer early because of the cost, yet thousands of Arizonans are forced to make that decision every year,” said Molly Guthrie, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at Susan G. Komen. The proposed legislation aims to close this gap in coverage, ensuring that a patient's financial situation does not dictate their ability to access life-saving diagnostics.

The Diagnostic Dilemma: Beyond the Free Mammogram

For many, a routine mammogram is just the first step. When a screening indicates a possible issue, or for individuals deemed high-risk due to family history or factors like dense breast tissue, doctors order follow-up tests. These diagnostic procedures—which can include more detailed mammograms, breast ultrasounds, or breast MRIs—are essential to confirm or rule out the presence of cancer.

However, these tests are often subject to patient cost-sharing, leading to unexpected and often exorbitant bills. A study commissioned by Susan G. Komen found that patients can face out-of-pocket expenses ranging from an average of $234 for a diagnostic mammogram to more than $1,000 for a breast MRI. In Arizona, self-pay prices can vary widely, with a bilateral breast MRI costing upwards of $780 at some facilities, while a diagnostic mammogram can run several hundred dollars.

This financial burden creates a dangerous dilemma. A recent study published in the journal Radiology found that one in five patients reported they would skip recommended follow-up imaging if they had to pay a deductible. The fear of high costs forces individuals to delay or entirely forgo care, a decision that can have devastating consequences. Early-stage breast cancer has an estimated 98% five-year survival rate, but that number drops significantly as the disease progresses, making timely diagnosis paramount.

SB 1165 directly addresses this issue by amending state insurance law to prohibit cost-sharing for these specific follow-up exams. The bill covers a comprehensive range of procedures, including contrast-enhanced mammography, breast MRI, and breast ultrasound, when they are deemed medically necessary based on guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN).

Arizona Joins a Growing National Movement

If passed, Arizona would become the latest in a wave of states taking action to improve access to breast cancer diagnostics. The move reflects a growing national consensus on the importance of removing financial barriers to early detection.

“30 states, ranging across the political spectrum, have acknowledged the importance of removing financial barriers to lifesaving diagnostic testing for breast cancer at a critical time in a woman’s life,” said Sen. Angius in a statement supporting her bill. This bipartisan trend underscores a shared understanding that the economic benefits of early detection—in both saved lives and reduced long-term healthcare expenditures—outweigh the immediate costs of expanded coverage.

States like Illinois and Virginia have already passed similar laws. Illinois's "Diagnostic Mammogram Act," effective in 2020, has helped ensure patients can receive advanced imaging without facing prohibitive costs. Research from other states with such laws suggests that while they lead to a modest increase in the use of supplemental imaging, they also contribute to a corresponding rise in cancer detection rates.

Concerns are often raised about the potential for such mandates to increase insurance premiums. However, a national poll cited by advocates found that the 30 states that have already eliminated patient cost-sharing for these procedures have seen “little-to-no impact on insurance premiums.” The argument is that the cost of covering diagnostic tests is offset by the immense savings achieved by avoiding late-stage cancer treatments, which are far more complex, invasive, and expensive.

The Human and Economic Cost of Delay

The impact of high diagnostic costs is not uniform. National data indicates that the financial strain of cancer care disproportionately affects Black and Latina women, who report higher rates of concern about medical debt and are more likely to cut back on necessities to afford treatment. By removing a key financial barrier at a critical diagnostic stage, SB 1165 could play a role in reducing these health disparities in Arizona.

The economic case for the legislation is compelling. Detecting breast cancer at an early, localized stage leads to more effective and less invasive treatment options. This not only improves patient outcomes and quality of life but also dramatically reduces the overall cost to the healthcare system. The investment in fully covering diagnostic imaging is seen by proponents as a direct investment in public health and fiscal responsibility.

SB 1165 is currently listed as "Introduced" and assigned to committee during the Fifty-seventh Legislature's Second Regular Session. If it navigates the legislative process and is signed into law, its provisions are slated to take effect on January 1, 2027. The bill's progress will be closely watched by patient advocates, healthcare providers, and insurance carriers as Arizona weighs the cost of coverage against the price of delayed care.