Oklahoma Lawmakers Override Stitt Veto Expanding Mammogram Coverage

Oklahoma lawmakers overwhelmingly overrode Governor Kevin Stitt's veto of House Bill 1389, a bipartisan measure expanding insurance coverage for advanced breast cancer screenings, including diagnostic mammograms. Despite the governor's concerns that the bill would raise insurance premiums and impose costly mandates on private health plans, legislators emphasized the importance of early detection in saving lives, noting that breast cancer diagnosis rates in Oklahoma are higher than the national average. The bill requires insurance to cover a broader range of mammography screenings without deductibles, co-pays, or time restrictions, benefiting tens of thousands of women across the state. Rep. Melissa Provenzano, the bill's author and a breast cancer patient, highlighted personal stories illustrating the financial barriers to necessary screenings, while lawmakers from both parties celebrated the veto override with standing ovations. The new law is set to take effect on November 1, 2025, allowing time for implementation by insurers and healthcare providers. This override was part of a larger legislative effort where lawmakers overturned dozens of the governor's vetoes on various issues.