Find It Early Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6182
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-15: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-26T08:07:20Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Find It Early Act" (H.R. 6182) aims to expand access to preventive breast cancer screenings by requiring health coverage without any out-of-pocket costs (like copays or deductibles) for certain individuals at higher risk. It focuses on early detection through advanced imaging technologies, guided by established medical guidelines, to improve health outcomes for those facing elevated breast cancer risks.
Key Provisions
- Eligibility for Coverage: Applies to individuals at increased risk of breast cancer (based on the latest American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria or National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines) or those with heterogeneously or extremely dense breast tissue (as defined by the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System from the American College of Radiology). It also covers others determined by a healthcare provider to need screenings due to factors like age, race, ethnicity, or personal/family medical history.
- Covered Services: Includes screening and diagnostic imaging such as 2D or 3D mammograms, breast ultrasounds, breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), molecular breast imaging, contrast-enhanced mammography, or other approved technologies. Services must follow frequency recommendations from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines.
- Scope of Application: Mandates coverage across multiple programs starting January 1, 2026:
- Private group and individual health plans (amending the Public Health Service Act, ERISA, and Internal Revenue Code).
- Medicare (expanding preventive services under the Social Security Act).
- Medicaid (adding to covered services and prohibiting cost-sharing).
- TRICARE (military health benefits under Title 10, U.S. Code).
- Veterans' health care (under Title 38, U.S. Code, without enrollment requirements).
- No Cost-Sharing: Prohibits any patient costs for these services in all covered programs, including grandfathered plans (older plans exempt from some Affordable Care Act rules).
- Implementation Details: For Medicaid, states get flexibility if legislation is needed, with delayed enforcement until after their next legislative session. Applies to Medicare Advantage plans and benchmark Medicaid coverage.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Expands beyond standard mammograms to include advanced technologies like 3D mammograms, ultrasounds, and MRIs, which were not previously mandated without cost-sharing in many plans.
- Applies to grandfathered health plans (previously exempt from some preventive care mandates) starting in 2026.
- Removes cost-sharing barriers in public programs like Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and VA, where such screenings may have previously involved copays.
- Shifts determination of need from solely U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations (for Medicare) to include ACR and NCCN guidelines, broadening eligibility.
- For Medicaid, ensures these services are included even in benchmark or equivalent plans, overriding some state flexibility.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Improves access to early detection for at-risk women (e.g., those with dense breasts or family history), potentially leading to earlier diagnoses, better treatment outcomes, and reduced breast cancer mortality. Reduces financial barriers, encouraging more screenings, especially among underserved groups like racial/ethnic minorities.
- On Government Agencies: Increases administrative burdens and costs for agencies like the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Department of Defense (for TRICARE), and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement coverage and monitor compliance. May raise federal spending on Medicare and Medicaid without specified funding offsets.
- On Health Insurers and Employers: Raises premiums or administrative costs for private plans, as they must cover additional services without passing costs to patients. Employers sponsoring plans may see higher health benefit expenses.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill is domestic health policy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Individuals at Risk: Primarily women with elevated breast cancer risk factors, including those with dense breast tissue, family history, or from high-risk demographic groups (e.g., certain racial/ethnic backgrounds).
- Healthcare Providers: Doctors and imaging facilities benefit from clearer guidelines for recommending services but may see increased demand for screenings.
- Health Insurers and Employers: Private insurers and self-insured employers must comply with new mandates, potentially facing higher costs.
- Government Entities: CMS (Medicare/Medicaid), DoD (TRICARE), VA, and states (for Medicaid administration) are directly responsible for enforcement and funding.
- Medical Organizations: Groups like the American College of Radiology and National Comprehensive Cancer Network influence implementation through their guidelines.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Aligns with the Affordable Care Act's preventive services framework but extends it to specific advanced screenings, potentially inviting challenges if seen as overregulating insurance. Provides states limited delay for Medicaid compliance, respecting federalism principles.
- Constitutional: Falls within Congress's powers under the Commerce Clause (regulating health insurance markets) and Spending Clause (conditioning federal funds for Medicare/Medicaid). No apparent conflicts with equal protection or privacy rights, as it promotes nondiscriminatory access.
- Political: Supports bipartisan preventive health efforts (introduced with cosponsors from both parties), emphasizing equity in cancer care. Could spark debates on healthcare costs versus public health benefits, influencing future insurance reform discussions. May set precedent for mandating no-cost coverage of emerging technologies in other diseases.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3]
Cosponsors (71)
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Murphy, Gregory F. [R-NC-3], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1], Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6], Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10], Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Van Duyne, Beth [R-TX-24], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11], Rep. Himes, James A. [D-CT-4], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16], Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Ivey, Glenn [D-MD-4] and 21 more
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-15: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 2025-11-20: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and Workforce, Armed Services, and Veterans' Affairs, 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.
- 2025-11-20: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and Workforce, Armed Services, and Veterans' Affairs, 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.
- 2025-11-20: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and Workforce, Armed Services, and Veterans' Affairs, 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.
- 2025-11-20: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and Workforce, Armed Services, and Veterans' Affairs, 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.
- 2025-11-20: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and Workforce, Armed Services, and Veterans' Affairs, 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.
- 2025-11-20: Introduced in House
- 2025-11-20: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Find It Early Act — issued 2025-11-20 — PDF (23 pages)