SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, guaranteeing preventative mammograms are covered under all insurance plans in Illinois passed the Illinois House this week.
"As the husband of a breast cancer survivor, I have seen the difference that early detection can make when treating this aggressive disease," Smiddy said. "Every woman in Illinois should have access to the preventative screenings and treatments that we know save lives."
Smiddy introduced House Bill 3673 to expand access to preventative breast cancer screening. The bill requires every insurance plan in Illinois to include coverage of these screenings for women 35 years and older. The bill requires every network of care in Illinois to provide access to at least one location certified by the American College of Radiology as a Center of Imaging Excellence to provide the access to the highest level of care for women across Illinois.
"This bill could offer women in Illinois the timely access to preventative testing that could mean the difference between life and death," Smiddy said. "I'd like to thank my colleagues in the House for supporting this important measure, and I hope this bill continues its momentum in the Senate to become law soon."
House Bill 3673 received bipartisan support before the full House, passing on a vote of 109-6, and will be considered in the Senate.
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