Why did Gov. Stitt veto a breast cancer screening bill passed by lawmakers?

Governor Kevin Stitt vetoed a bill that would have required insurance to cover advanced breast cancer screenings for high-risk women.

The bill had strong bipartisan support and was aimed at improving early detection.

What did the vetoed bill aim to do?

House Bill 1389 would have required insurance plans to cover two advanced breast cancer screenings:

1. Contrast-enhanced mammograms
2. Molecular breast imaging

These tests help detect cancer earlier, especially in women with dense breast tissue or a family history of breast cancer.

Image Provided By: Griffin Media

How did lawmakers vote on the bill?

The bill passed overwhelmingly in both the Oklahoma House and Senate with broad bipartisan support.

Why did Governor Kevin Stitt veto it?

Governor Kevin Stitt:

“It would’ve imposed new and costly insurance mandates on private health plans, which would actually raise premiums on Oklahoma families and businesses.”

Stitt said he sympathizes with women facing cancer, but believes the bill would increase costs across the board.

Watch Gov. Kevin Stitt's full explanation HERE.

What do supporters of the bill say?

Breast cancer survivor Edie Tolbert says the bill would help women who need more than a basic mammogram to get a diagnosis.

“Early detection is a 99% survival rate… But after a standard screening, many women need additional tests they may not be able to afford,” Tolbert said.

Tolbert says her daughter needed an MRI after her first mammogram because of extremely dense breast tissue—something a regular scan couldn’t detect.

Image Provided By: Griffin Media

Why was this bill introduced?

Rep. Melissa Provenzano, who authored the bill, says it was inspired by a woman who nearly skipped a crucial test due to cost.

“Her insurance would only cover part of a diagnostic mammogram, leaving her with a $1,200 bill. That’s not right.”

You can read Rep. Provenzano's full statement following Gov. Stitt's veto of HB 1389 HERE.

What’s next?

Lawmakers are considering a veto override, which would require a two-thirds majority in both chambers.

What’s the concern if nothing changes?

Tolbert says women could delay or skip testing because of cost, leading to later-stage diagnoses.

“Over half the women I work with are in treatment. We can’t let financial barriers keep them from lifesaving care.”

Statement from the American Cancer Society:

ACS CAN (American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network) is disappointed by Governor Kevin Stitt’s veto of a bill aimed at expanding access to supplemental breast cancer screening tests.

House Bill 1389 by Rep. Melissa Provenzano, would eliminate out-of-pocket costs and expand access to supplemental imaging for women with elevated risk factors, including those who may need additional screening despite no abnormal findings.

Unfortunately, this veto will have real-world consequences for women who need supplemental breast cancer screening because of personal risk factors. Out-of-pocket costs can create a barrier to screening causing some women to put off needed imaging tests. Delayed testing can result in women being diagnosed with later stage cancers, which are more difficult and costly to treat.

A recent report by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) found that over 70% of commercially insured patients encountered out-of-pocket expenses for follow-up breast cancer diagnostic tests in 2023.

The following is a statement from ACS CAN Oklahoma and Arkansas Government Relations Director, Matt Glanville:

“Gov. Kevin Stitt’s veto of House Bill 1389 is a huge, missed opportunity to ensure more Oklahomans, regardless of income or insurance type, can afford the critical follow up testing required after a mammogram. Women at higher risk of breast cancer deserve access to the imaging they need, when they need it. Out-of-pocket costs are a real barrier for women who need additional imaging either because of an abnormal finding or because of certain risk factors.

“House Bill 1389 earned strong bipartisan support and cleared the two-thirds majority threshold in both chambers. This is a clear signal that lawmakers understand the importance of expanding access to breast imaging for women at high risk.

“ACS CAN and our partners in public health advocacy will be working hard to build the support needed to override any vetoes of legislative efforts to ensure that more Oklahomans are able to benefit from advances in testing and treatment regardless of where they live.

“Just across the border, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed both a breast imaging bill, and a genetic testing bill into law this year, demonstrating that expanding access to early detection is not only possible, but a bipartisan priority.”

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