S.1410 - Find It Early Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1410, the "Find It Early Act," aims to eliminate cost-sharing for additional breast screenings for individuals at greater risk of breast cancer. The bill amends the Public Health Service Act, the Social Security Act, and Title 10 of the United States Code to ensure coverage without cost-sharing under group health plans, Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE. The Act also addresses coverage for veterans through amendments to Title 38.
Expected Effects
The primary effect will be increased access to breast cancer screening and diagnostic imaging for high-risk individuals across various healthcare coverage systems. This will likely lead to earlier detection of breast cancer and potentially improved health outcomes. The changes are slated to take effect on January 1, 2026, with some flexibility for state Medicaid plans requiring legislative changes.
Potential Benefits
- Increased access to breast cancer screenings for high-risk individuals.
- Elimination of cost-sharing, making screenings more affordable.
- Improved early detection rates of breast cancer.
- Enhanced health outcomes for those diagnosed early.
- Reduced financial burden on individuals needing frequent screenings.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential increase in healthcare costs due to increased screening frequency.
- Possible strain on healthcare resources and infrastructure.
- Administrative complexities in implementing the new coverage guidelines.
- Risk of over-diagnosis and unnecessary follow-up procedures.
- Potential for increased premiums for all insured individuals to offset the cost of free screenings.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Constitution's broad mandate to "promote the general Welfare," as stated in the Preamble. While healthcare is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8) has been interpreted to allow for federal regulation of healthcare and insurance. The expansion of healthcare coverage through Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal programs falls under this implied power.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).