North Carolina 2025 Session Status: In Committee 11 D cosponsors

SB 553 — Save More Tatas Act.

Last action — Passed 1st Reading

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced March 25, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.

Prognosis

Stalled 26% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 11 sponsors

    2 primary, 9 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (11 D).

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

22 added · 23 removed

Plain-language change summary

In the latest version of Senate Bill 553, specific definitions regarding medical examinations and testing for cervical cancer were clarified and slightly rephrased for better understanding. Additionally, the bill outlines a $1.5 million funding allocation aimed at developing a new program by July 2025. These changes are important because they enhance clarity around medical procedures and ensure resources are available to improve health outcomes related to early cancer detection.

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FILED SENATE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA Mar 25, 2025 S.B.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 S 1 SENATE BILL 553 Short Title:
553 SESSION 2025 PRINCIPAL CLERK S D SENATE BILL DRS35189-MRa-85 Short Title:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT PROVIDING HEALTH COVERAGE PARITY FOR BREAST CANCER DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING,MAKINGTECHNICALANDCONFORMINGCHANGES TO THE GENERAL STATUTES RELATED TO BREAST CANCER SCREENING, APPROPRIATING FUNDS TO SUPPORT AVAILABILITY OF MAMMOGRAPHY TECHNOLOGISTS IN RURAL AND UNDERSERVED AREAS OF THE STATE, AND UPDATING MAMMOGRAPHIC BREAST DENSITY PATIENT NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.
Rules and Operations of the Senate March 26, 2025 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT PROVIDING HEALTH COVERAGE PARITY FOR BREAST CANCER DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING, MAKINGTECHNICALAND CONFORMINGCHANGES TO THE GENERAL STATUTES RELATED TO BREAST CANCER SCREENING, APPROPRIATING FUNDS TO SUPPORT AVAILABILITY OF MAMMOGRAPHY TECHNOLOGISTS IN RURAL AND UNDERSERVED AREAS OF THE STATE, AND UPDATING MAMMOGRAPHIC BREAST DENSITY PATIENT NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.
(a1) As used in this section, "examinations The following definitions apply in this section:
(a1) As used in this section, "examinations The following definitions applyin this section:
– An examination for breast cancer that is determined by the healthcare provider treating the patient to be medically necessary and appropriate, in accordance with applicable American College of Radiology guidelines.
– An examination for breast cancer that is determined by the healthcare provider treating the patient to be medicallynecessaryand appropriate, in accordance with applicable American College of Radiology guidelines.
*DRS35189-MRa-85* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 a.
*S553-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 a.
Theabnormality is seen orsuspected from ascreening examinationfor breast cancer.
Theabnormalityis seen orsuspected from ascreeningexaminationfor breast cancer.
(6) Screening of earlydetectionofcervical cancer.
(6) Screeningof earlydetectionofcervical cancer.
–Examinations and laboratory tests for the screening for the early detection of used to detect cervical cancer" means cancer, including conventional PAP smear screening, liquid-based cytology, and human papilloma virus (HPV) detection methods for women with equivocal findings on cervical cytologic analysis that are subject to the approval of and have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
–Examinations and laboratory tests for the screening for the earlydetection of used to detect cervical cancer" means cancer, including conventional PAP smear screening, liquid-based cytology, and human papilloma virus (HPV) detection methods for women with equivocal findings on cervical cytologic analysis that are subject to the approval of and have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
– An examination for breast cancer that is determined by the healthcare provider treating the patient to be medically necessary and appropriate, in accordance with applicable American College of Radiology guidelines.
– An examination for breast cancer that is determined by the healthcare provider treating the patient to be medicallynecessaryand appropriate, in accordance with applicable American College of Radiology guidelines.
(b) As used in this section, "low-dose screening mammography" means a radiologic procedure for the early detection of breast cancer provided to an asymptomatic woman using equipment dedicated specifically for mammography, including a physician's interpretation of the results of the procedure.
(b) As used in this section, "low-dose screening mammography" means a radiologic procedure for the early detection of breast cancer provided to an asymptomatic woman using equipment dedicated specificallyfor mammography, including a physician's interpretation of the results of the procedure.
Page 2 DRS35189-MRa-85 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (c1) Every health benefit plan offered by an insurer that provides benefits for a diagnostic or supplemental examination for breast cancer shall ensure that the cost-sharing requirements applicable to a diagnostic or supplemental examination for breast cancer are no less favorable than the cost-sharing requirements applicable to a screening examination for breast cancer.
Page 2 Senate Bill 553-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (c1) Every health benefit plan offered by an insurer that provides benefits for a diagnostic or supplemental examination for breast cancer shall ensure that the cost-sharing requirements applicable to a diagnostic or supplemental examination for breast cancer are no less favorable than the cost-sharing requirements applicable to a screening examination for breast cancer.
Thefollowing provisionsofChapter58oftheGeneral Statutesapply to theStateHealthPlan:
Thefollowingprovisions ofChapter58oftheGeneral Statutesapplyto theStateHealthPlan:
…." SECTION 3.(b) Effective July 1, 2025, there is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of State Treasurer the sum of three million six hundred thousand dollars ($3,600,000) in recurring funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) in recurring funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to be used to implement the coverage under the North Carolina State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees required by this section.
…." SECTION 3.(b) Effective July1, 2025, there is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of State Treasurer the sum of three million six hundred thousand dollars ($3,600,000) in recurring funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) in recurring funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to be used to implement the coverage under the North Carolina State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees required by this section.
Effective July 1, 2025, there is appropriated from the General Fund to the Community Colleges System Office the sum of one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to be used to develop a program and incentives for the recruitment, hiring, and retention of certified mammography technologists to perform 3D mammograms in rural and medically underserved areas of the State.
Effective July 1, 2025, there is appropriated from the General Fund to the Community Colleges System Office the sum of one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) in nonrecurringfunds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to be used to develop a program and incentives for the recruitment, hiring, and retention of certified mammography technologists to perform 3D mammograms in rural and medically underserved areas of the State.
Densebreast tissueis relatively commonandis foundin more than forty percent (40%) of women.
Densebreast tissueis relativelycommon and is found in more than forty percent (40%) of women.
You might benefit from supplementary screening tests, which can include a breast ultrasound screening or a breast MRI examination, or both, depending on your DRS35189-MRa-85 Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 individual risk factors.
You might benefit from supplementary screening tests, which can include a breast ultrasound screening or a breast MRI examination, or both, depending on your Senate Bill 553-First Edition Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 individual risk factors.
Page 4 DRS35189-MRa-85
Page 4 Senate Bill 553-First Edition
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How this bill changes current law

8 changes Share ↗

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill provides health coverage parity for breast cancer diagnostic imaging and updates notification requirements regarding breast density.

  • G.S. 58-51-57

    G.S. 58-51-57 → G.S. 58-3-271

    This recodifies the section related to insurance coverage for mammograms.

  • G.S. 58-3-271

    Coverage for mammograms exams for breast cancer and cervical cancer screening.

    This establishes a new section outlining coverage for mammograms and cervical cancer screenings.

  • G.S. 58-3-271

    The same deductibles, coinsurance, and other limitations as apply to similar services covered under the policy, contract, or plan shall apply to coverage for examinations and laboratory tests for the screening for the early detection of cervical cancer and low-dose screening mammography.

    This maintains cost-sharing consistency for diagnostic and screening services under health plans.

  • G.S. 58-3-271

    Every health benefit plan offered by an insurer that provides benefits for a diagnostic or supplemental examination for breast cancer shall ensure that the cost-sharing requirements applicable to a diagnostic or supplemental examination for breast cancer are no less favorable than the cost-sharing requirements applicable to a screening examination for breast cancer.

    This ensures parity in cost-sharing between diagnostic and screening examinations for breast cancer.

  • G.S. 130A-215.5(a)

    All health care facilities that perform mammography examinations shall include in the summary of the mammography report, required by federal law to be provided to a patient, information that identifies the patient's individual breast density classification based on the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System established by the American College of Radiology.

    This mandates that mammography reports inform patients about their breast density classification.

  • G.S. 130A-215.5(a)

    If the facility determines that a patient has heterogeneously or extremely dense breasts, the summary of the mammography report shall include the following notice: "Breast tissue can be either dense or not dense..."

    This adds a requirement for facilities to notify patients about the implications of dense breast tissue.

  • G.S. 58-65-92

    G.S. 58-65-92

    This repeals an existing section that may have been outdated concerning health coverage.

  • G.S. 58-67-76

    G.S. 58-67-76

    This repeals another section that may not align with the new coverage requirements.

Action History

  1. Passed 1st Reading

  2. Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

  3. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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2 sponsors · 9 co-sponsors · 168 not signed on

Sponsors (2)

Co-sponsors (9)

Not signed on (168)

168 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 168 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

healthcare education health-insurance
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 553?
SB 553 is sponsored by Joyce Waddell (Democratic), DeAndrea Salvador (Democratic), Natalie S. Murdock (Democratic), Mujtaba A. Mohammed (Democratic), Lisa Grafstein (Democratic), Sophia Chitlik (Democratic), Woodson Bradley (Democratic), Val Applewhite (Democratic), Julie Mayfield (Democratic), Sydney Batch (Democratic), and Kandie D. Smith (Democratic).
What is the current status of SB 553?
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced March 25, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track SB 553?
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