Pennsylvania State Senator Seeks to Expand Coverage for BRCA Gene Mutation Testing

When Pennsylvania Sen. Kim Ward was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, she knew she had to take action. Her personal experience led her to write Senate Bill 8, which she hopes will inspire other states to follow suit.

The bill aims to eliminate all costs associated with breast cancer-related genetic testing and counseling, as well as breast MRI and ultrasounds for Pennsylvanians with high-risk conditions like dense breast tissue, personal history of breast cancer, family history, genetic predisposition, or prior radiation therapy.

One of the key provisions of the legislation is the elimination of co-pays for the test that searches for the BRCA gene mutations, which are indicators of an elevated risk of breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer.

“This is not a red or blue issue. It is a pink issue,” Ward said in a statement. She believes that early detection saves lives and hopes that other states will follow Pennsylvania’s lead. Ward, a Republican, was the first woman in Pennsylvania to serve as Senate Majority Leader previously, and she’s currently Senate President Pro Tempore.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, not every woman who has a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation will get breast or ovarian cancer, but having the mutation indicates an increased risk for these cancers.

Did you know that about 50 out of 100 women with a BRCA gene mutation will get breast cancer by the time they turn 70, compared to only 7 out of 100 women in the United States? About 30 out of 100 women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation will get ovarian cancer by the time they turn 70 compared to fewer than 1 out of 100 women in the United States.

Denied Insurance Coverage

Ward’s own experience with breast cancer highlights the importance of early detection. She postponed her mammogram during COVID and when she rescheduled, she learned she had stage 1 breast cancer. Despite having a family history of breast cancer, she did not realize she also had a BRCA 2 gene mutation.

Ward’s bill aims to help others avoid the same fate by making genetic testing and counseling more accessible and affordable. Let’s hope other states follow Pennsylvania’s lead and prioritize the health of their citizens.