What’s on the Horizon for Breast Imaging Legislation in 2026?

Momentum continues to build for breast imaging legislation at the state level. In a recent interview with Diagnostic Imaging, Amy Patel, M.D., noted key victories for breast imaging bills in multiple states including Colorado, Florida, Oklahoma and Virginia in 2025.

Breast imaging bills have also been introduced for consideration in 2026 in New York, Hawaii and Kansas, according to Dr. Patel, the chair of the American College of Radiology’s (ACR) Radiology Advocacy Network and the Political Action Committee of the American College of Radiology Association (RADPAC).

While noting that there has been more success at the state level in recent years, Dr. Patel noted that the Find It Early Act remains a key target for breast imaging legislation at the federal level for the ACR.

“The Find It Early Act has … received bipartisan support, and this is a bill that would cover, without cost sharing, (supplemental imaging) examinations for women who are above average risk or with dense breasts. Currently, the House bill covers all modalities for coverage of that, including contrast-enhanced mammography. The Senate bill currently does not but that is a bill that continuously is being reintroduced for passage,” noted Dr. Patel, a clinical associate professor of radiology at the University of Kansas School of Medicine.

“It would be amazing if we could have blanket federal legislation for all of these exams covered across all states. So with that, we don't have to do this piecemeal and get these passed on a state-by-state basis. The Find It Early Act also covers all insurance plans, even private insurance, TRICARE and the VA.”

For breast radiologists looking to get involved in advocacy efforts, Dr. Patel said the ACR offers a variety of resources and will have a session on how to advocate for radiology legislation at the upcoming ACR annual meeting (May 2-6, Washington, D.C..).

Dr. Patel also recommends getting involved in one’s state radiological society as well as state medical societies. Enlisting the support of colleagues from other medical specialties played a significant role in getting three pieces of “critical breast imaging legislation” passed in Missouri, according to Dr. Patel.

“If you want to pass these pieces of legislation, like we've been very fortunate to have had such great success in Missouri, you have to have support from other specialties,” emphasized Dr. Patel.

(Editor’s note: For related content, see “Large Mammography Study Suggests Adjunctive AI May Have an Impact in Reducing Interval Breast Cancer Rates,” “Current Perspectives on Digital Breast Tomosynthesis in Women with Dense Breasts” and “Seven Takeaways from New Review of Common Mammography Misses.”)