Lawler Introduces Bill to Expand Breast Cancer Screenings During Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month

Washington, D.C. - 4/27/26… In recognition of National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month today, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) introduced the Early Access to Screening Act, legislation to lower the age for women to receive free annual breast cancer screenings through Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance. While women aged 40 and over currently qualify for no-cost coverage for annual screening mammography, this bill extends this critical benefit to women aged 30 and over.

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among American women. In 2026, an estimated 321,910 women in the United States will be diagnosed with the disease, and approximately 42,670 Americans are expected to lose their lives to it. Early detection continues to be one of the most effective tools for improving outcomes and saving lives, according to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Survival rates have improved significantly over time, but disparities persist. The current five-year relative survival rate is 92 percent for white women and 83 percent for Black women, with later-stage diagnoses contributing to this gap. Expanding access to earlier screenings is a critical step toward closing these disparities and improving outcomes for all women.

"We know that early detection is one of the most powerful tools we have to change patient outcomes. By expanding access to screenings at a younger age, we're giving women a better chance to catch cancer early, when it is most treatable, and significantly improving the odds of survival. This is about making sure more families get more time, more options, and more hope," said Congressman Lawler.

The full bill text can be found HERE.

Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

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