Act 1 of 2023

It’s law! Governor Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bill 8, now Act 1 of 2023, into law May 1, 2023. Act 1 eliminates all costs associated (including co-pays, deductibles and co-insurance) with breast MRIs, breast ultrasounds and BRCA-related genetic testing and counseling for Pennsylvanians at high risk insured under state law. Landmark, life-saving news!

Act 1 is the first bill Governor Shapiro signed into law. The governor was joined by the legislation’s prime sponsor Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, PA First Lady Lori Shapiro, PBCC President and Founder Pat Halpin-Murphy and Speaker of the House Rep. Joanna McClinton at the signing table. Lawmakers, who took part in both the unanimous, bipartisan Senate vote and the unanimous, bipartisan House vote on Senate Bill 8, stood behind in support.

Act 1 applies to state-regulated insurance. It does not impact federally regulated insurance including ERISA, Medicare, and Medicaid, and self-insured plans. For information on Medicare coverage for Breast MRI, opens in a new windowclick hereopens PDF file .

“We made history, and now we celebrate this life-saving victory for Pennsylvanians. The PA Breast Cancer Coalition applauds and commends the action of Governor Josh Shapiro, prime sponsor Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, co-prime sponsors Senator Tracy Pennycuick and Senator Devlin Robinson, Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton and every lawmaker who recognized the importance of Act 1. Thank you for making Pennsylvania first in the nation to have both no-cost MRIs and genetic testing.”

– Pat Halpin-Murphy
President and Founder, PA Breast Cancer Coalition