Rep. Denson's bill to improve breast cancer detection passes Ohio House

COLUMBUS– State Rep. Denson (D-Cincinnati) today announced the Ohio House passage of House Bill (HB) 371, bipartisan legislation to improve breast cancer screenings through modernized technology.

“This legislation is critically important for all women, but especially Black women, who have a breast cancer mortality rate over 40 percent higher than that of white women. The bottom line is that taking measures to ensure access to quality breast cancer care for all women diagnosed with breast cancer will save lives while addressing racial disparities. I am so excited on the House passage of this bill, and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to fight for breast cancer patients as well,” said Rep. Denson. 

HB 371 extends mammography coverage to include advanced screening with tomosynthesis (3D mammography). Furthermore, it requires Medicaid and commercial insurance plans to cover the cost of supplemental breast cancer screenings for adult women who have dense breast tissue or elevated risk for breast cancer. 

HB 371 will also update the patient notification letter guidelines for women who have been classified to have dense breast tissue. By updating this notification, women will be made aware of the risk associated with dense breast tissue as well as the supplemental screenings that can be vital to the early detection of breast cancer.

The bill now moves to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.