Early Access to Screening Act
April 28, 2026
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Where This Stands
Currently in_committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →The Frame
If passed, this bill would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for annual mammograms for women aged 30 and older across Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance plans starting in 2026.
Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.
Women aged 30 and older
They would be eligible for annual screening mammograms with no out-of-pocket costs under their health insurance plans.
Health insurance providers
They would be required to cover the full cost of annual screening mammograms for women aged 30 and older without cost-sharing.
State Medicaid programs
They must update their coverage plans to include no-cost annual mammograms for eligible individuals over age 29.
Current stage: in_committee.
Floor Vote.
Summary
Key Facts
- The bill mandates 100% coverage for annual screening mammography for women aged 30 and older.
- The mandate applies to Medicare, Medicaid, and private group or individual health insurance plans.
- Patients cannot be charged any deductibles, co-pays, or cost-sharing for these screenings.
- The provisions are scheduled to take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.
- Medicare will not pay for screening mammography for women under 30 years of age.
- Under Medicare, screening mammograms must be performed at least 11 months after the previous screening to be covered.
- States are prohibited from enrolling individuals in Medicaid benchmark plans that do not include this no-cost annual screening coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I have to pay for my annual mammogram if this bill passes?
When does this coverage requirement start?
Does this bill cover mammograms for women under 30?
Why It Matters
If passed, this bill would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for annual mammograms for women aged 30 and older across Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance plans starting in 2026.
News Coverage
Lobbying Activity
(C) MANAGEMENT INC.
on behalf of Association of Community Cancer Centers
2021
“THE TELEHEALTH MODERNIZATION ACT (H.R. 1332/ S.368) Organized a Virtual Capitol Hill Day for ACCC members (70+) on May 12th, 2021. Created one-pagers and talking points on importance of this legislation. ACCC views telehealth expansion as critical for cancer patient access to healthcare providers. THE SAFE STEP ACT (H.R.2163/S.464) Organized a Virtual Capitol Hill Day for ACCC members (70+) on May 12th, 2021. Created one-pagers and talking points on importance of this legislation. ACCC views step therapy in the use of cancer care delivery to be a hinderance to best practice and timely treatment/access of care for patients. THE ACCESS TO GENETIC COUNSELOR SERVICES ACT (H.R. 2144/S.1450) Organized a Virtual Capitol Hill Day for ACCC members (70+) on May 12th, 2021. Created one-pagers and talking points on importance of this legislation. ACCC views genetic counselors as integral members of the cancer care delivery team in oncology programs/practices in the US. THE RESEARCH INVESTMENT TO SPARK THE ECONOMY (RISE) ACT (H.R. 869/S.289) Organized a Virtual Capitol Hill Day for ACCC members (70+) on May 12th, 2021. Created one-pagers and talking points on importance of this legislation. ACCC understands the importance of research funding for the NIH and oncology investigators to promote clinical trials that impact improving cancer outcomes. THE MEDICARE MULTI-CANCER EARLY DETECTION SCREENING COVERAGE ACT OF 2021 (H.R. 1946) Organized a Virtual Capitol Hill Day for ACCC members (70+) on May 12th, 2021. Created one-pagers and talking points on importance of this legislation. ACCC advocates for the use and coverage of cancer screening modalities that will diagnose cancer at earlier stages therefore improving patient outcomes. MOST FAVORED NATION (Proposed by Trump Administration at end of 2020) ACCC entered into a lawsuit against HHS in December 2020 opposing the Most Favored Nation proposal tying drug reimbursements to international reference pricing. By lowering reimbursement to cancer programs and practices, patient access to care would be limited as supportive cancer care services limited due to lack of reimbursement to cover positions. ACCC was concerned over programs/practices closing if proposal were to move forward. ACCC met with one Senators office on this topic expressing concern in January 2021. RADIATION ONCOLOGY MODEL (Proposed by CMMI) ACCC met with 1 Senate office and 1 House office over concerns re: this alternative payment model. ACCC has concerns over mandatory nature of Radiation Oncology model testing reimbursement rates and potentially limiting access to care for patients who are recommended radiation for their cancer diagnosis, particularly in rural areas of the U.S. ”
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Standardization of Preventive Care
The bill aligns coverage requirements for mammography across Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance, creating a uniform federal standard for women over 29.
Connected Entities
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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