Tracie Davis pulls breast cancer screening bill amid issues

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. 11/8/23-Sen. Tracie Davis, D-Jacksonville, talks about the recent shootings near Edward Waters University as the Senate debated CS/HB 7-C a bill providing grant funding to improve security for at-risk schools, churches, museums and community centers, Wednesday at the Capitol in Tallahassee. The Senate passed the House version of the bill and it now moves to the governor for approval. COLIN HACKLEY PHOTO

With a Senate staff warning of problems with the bill, Sen. Tracie Davis pulled her Medicaid mammogram and breast cancer screening measure from the Senate floor.

SB 1578 was scheduled for a vote after clearing three committee stops with three unanimous votes. But Davis, a Jacksonville Democrat, said she would temporarily postpone the bill. And despite the term of art, Davis said the bill will not return this Session.

“I would just like to thank the members of this chamber and the Chairs that heard this bill, but today I will be TP’ing it so I can work on this just a little bit more over the Summer,” Davis said.

If passed, her bill would have required the Agency for Health Care Administration to cover mammograms and supplemental breast cancer screenings in Medicaid starting at the minimum age of 25 for women. Current law permits a “baseline mammogram” once a year for women who are at least 35 years old but under 40 years old.

The Senate staff analysis reported some issues with the bill language, pointing out that it “limits the coverage to one mammogram and one supplemental breast cancer screening per year if certain conditions are met, whereas current Medicaid recipients receive any medically necessary mammograms or supplemental breast cancer screenings.”

The staff analysis said those younger than 25 could no longer get coverage for the exams, although the bill would expand coverage for those between 25 and 39.

The staff analysis also pointed out that Davis’ bill doesn’t fit the American College of Radiology standards. Doctors recommend women to start getting their mammograms at age 40, not 25. Women at higher risk are often urged to start annual breast screenings at age 30, the staff analysis said.

Breast cancer, the second-most common form of cancer for women, affects 1 in 8 women.

“The bill will have an indeterminate, negative fiscal impact on state expenditures related to state employee insurance,” the Senate staff analysis said. “The bill will have an indeterminate negative fiscal impact on private sector individuals and insurers.”

Davis’ Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday evening.