Bill · H.R. 8551· House(119-HR-8551)
Early Access to Screening Act
- Introduced
- 4/28/2026
- Last activity
- 4/28/2026 — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- Michael Lawler
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Early Access to Screening Act" aims to amend several existing laws to provide no-cost coverage for annual screening mammography. This coverage would begin for women over the age of 29. The changes affect Medicare, Medicaid, and various group or individual health insurance plans. Under the new rules, these services would be available starting January 1, 2026. The bill establishes specific frequency requirements for these screenings to ensure they are performed annually.
Yes· 3 of 10
Would women be better off under this?+8
The bill specifically benefits women by providing no-cost access to critical preventative mammography screenings starting at age 30.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+7
The bill improves access to preventative cancer screenings by mandating no-cost annual mammography for women over 29 across Medicare, Medicaid, and group plans.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+6
The bill significantly benefits low-income households by mandating no-cost mammography through Medicaid.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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No-cost Medicare coverage: For women over the age of 29, the bill ensures that payment for screening mammography will be 100 percent of the lesser of the actual charge or the amount determined under the fee schedule (Section 2(a)(1)(2)(C)).
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No-cost Medicaid coverage: The bill mandates that beginning January 1, 2026, coverage for individuals over age 29 must include annual screening mammography without any deductions, cost sharing, or similar charges (Section 2(b)(1)(C)).
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Expanded health insurance coverage: The bill amends the Public Health Service Act to include annual mammography screening for women over 29 years of age in group and individual health insurance plans (Section 2(c)(1)(C)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions for women under 30: Under the Medicare provisions, no payment may be made for screening mammography performed on a woman under 30 years of age (Section 2(a)(1)(3)(A)).
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Frequency limitations: For women over the age of 29, Medicare will not make payments for screening mammography if it is performed within 11 months following the month a previous screening was performed (Section 2(a)(1)(3)(B)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Women+8Good For Low Income Households+6Good For Middle Aged+5Good For Middle Class Households+5Good For Seniors+5Good For Young Adults+5
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+7Increases Medicaid Funding+5Increases Medicare Funding+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Gender Equality+6
- 4/28/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House