Veto Prevents Oklahomans Access to Needed Breast Imaging
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MAY 7, 2025 – Susan G. Komen, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, today issued the following statement on the veto of supplemental breast imaging legislation (HB 1389) by Governor Kevin Stitt. The bipartisan, bicameral legislation was overwhelmingly passed in the Oklahoma State Legislature.
“We applaud the Oklahoma State Legislature for prioritizing early detection of breast cancer by passing HB 1389. Governor Stitt unfortunately vetoed this legislation yesterday and in so doing ensured barriers to supplemental breast imaging remain for high-risk patients in Oklahoma. Early detection of breast cancer is not possible without the medically necessary supplemental imaging required for those at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. These critical tests can be expensive and unfortunately many people forego them due to cost. This can mean that the person will delay care until the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, making it more deadly and much costlier to treat,” said Molly Guthrie, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at Susan G. Komen.
Governor Stitt shared the sentiment that he wished “nobody had to deal with breast cancer,” but that is not the reality for many families in Oklahoma. In 2025 alone, more than 3,460 individuals will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 570 will die of the disease in Oklahoma.
It is imperative that we take measures to reduce the overall costs to the health care system, ensuring that breast cancer is detected earlier helps to eliminate the exorbitant treatments costs associated with a later stage diagnosis. That is why 29 states have already enacted legislation to address these costs, including Arkansas and Missouri, with minimal impact to health insurance premiums.
“This life-saving legislation championed by Rep Melissa Provenzano (D-Tulsa) and Sen Brenda Stanley (R-Midwest City) would have built upon existing statute to ensure that individuals at a higher risk of breast cancer are able to receive their medically recommended early detection screenings,” Guthrie said, “Komen’s Center for Public Policy will continue to advocate for policies that ensure fair and equitable access to high-quality breast care for all Oklahomans.”
