Rep. Jarrells to Introduce Health Insurance Mandate for Prostate Cancer Screening Act (HIM Act)

COLUMBUS - State Rep. Dontavius L. Jarrells (D-Columbus) today announced his intention to introduce legislation aimed at combating the scourge of prostate cancer. The Health Insurance Mandate for Prostate Cancer Screening Act (HIM Act) will require health insurers to cover preventative screenings for men at high risk of developing prostate cancer.

“We have a responsibility to the people of Ohio to ensure they have access to this service. It’s unjust for anyone to have to forgo essential healthcare or screenings, especially for serious conditions like prostate cancer, out of fear of affordability,” said Rep. Jarrells.

Prostate cancer stands as the most frequently diagnosed cancer among men in Ohio, constituting a staggering 24% of newly diagnosed cases reported to the Ohio Cancer Incidence Surveillance System (OCISS) from 2015-2019. During this period, an average of 8,293 cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed annually in Ohio, with an age-adjusted incidence rate mirroring the national average of 112.5 per 100,000 males.

The HIM Act seeks to provide access to life-saving screenings for all men, regardless of age, race, or socioeconomic status. By mandating health benefit plans to cover all expenses associated with evidence-based prostate cancer screenings, such as the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, without imposing any cost-sharing requirements, this legislation aims to remove financial barriers and ultimately save lives.

Rep. Jarrells is currently working with colleagues in the legislature to support and co-sponsor the HIM Act, emphasizing the critical step forward in the fight against prostate cancer.