Oklahoma Lawmakers Seek Override of Governor's Breast Cancer Screening Veto

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt vetoed House Bill 1389, bipartisan legislation aimed at expanding insurance coverage for advanced breast cancer screenings such as contrast-enhanced mammograms and molecular breast imaging, which are critical for early detection and improved patient outcomes. The bill, authored by Rep. Melissa Provenzano, who is herself battling breast cancer, and supported by Sen. Brenda Stanley, passed overwhelmingly in the legislature but was vetoed due to concerns that the mandate would raise insurance premiums for families and small businesses. Supporters, including Provenzano and Stanley, argue that the bill would make essential diagnostic tests more accessible and affordable, especially for high-risk individuals, and that preventative care ultimately reduces long-term healthcare costs by avoiding expensive late-stage treatments. Provenzano has expressed shock and disappointment at the veto and is seeking to override it, emphasizing that many women face insurance pushback despite existing laws. Lawmakers from both parties have criticized the veto, highlighting the high breast cancer rates in Oklahoma and the bipartisan commitment to expanding access to lifesaving screenings. The debate underscores a tension between controlling insurance costs and expanding healthcare access for early cancer detection.