This bill would require health insurance plans to cover diagnostic and supplemental breast exams without any out-of-pocket costs for the patient. This means people would not have to pay deductibles, copays, or other charges when getting these important medical tests.
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill would require health insurance plans to cover diagnostic and supplemental breast exams without any out-of-pocket costs for the patient. This means people would not have to pay deductibles, copays, or other charges when getting these important medical tests.
Last updated: 12/29/2025
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2023 </strong><strong></strong></p><p>This bill revises the requirements for calculating Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.</p><p>The bill increases the minimum SNAP benefit and requires benefits to be calculated using the value of a low-cost food plan. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must determine the requirements for the low-cost food plan, which is the diet required to feed a family of four, consisting of</p><ul><li>a man and a woman ages 19-50 years,</li><li>a child ages 6-8 years, and</li><li>a child ages 9-11 years.</li></ul><p>USDA must (1) reevaluate and publish the market baskets of the plan by December 31, 2029, and every five years thereafter, based on current food prices, food composition data, consumption patterns, and dietary guidance; and (2) make adjustments to the plan to account for household size, changes in the cost of the diet, and the costs of food in specified areas.</p><p>The bill modifies the requirements for calculating household income to determine SNAP eligibility by (1) authorizing a standard medical expense deduction for households containing an elderly or disabled member, and (2) eliminating the cap on the excess shelter expense deduction.</p><p>The bill eliminates certain work requirements for SNAP; the requirements apply to able-bodied adults who are ages 18-49 and have no dependent children.</p><p>The bill allows Puerto Rico to participate in SNAP. Currently, Puerto Rico receives a block grant instead of participating in SNAP. The bill also provides funding for Puerto Rico to receive a one-time USDA grant for the technology infrastructure necessary to implement SNAP. </p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Prohibits health insurance plans from imposing any out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams
Defines diagnostic breast exams as medically necessary tests to evaluate abnormalities found during screening, and supplemental exams as additional screening for high-risk individuals
Applies to all group health plans and individual health insurance coverage
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
This bill would make breast cancer screening and diagnostic tests more accessible and affordable for millions of Americans with health insurance. It would eliminate financial barriers that may prevent some people from getting recommended breast exams, which could lead to earlier detection of breast cancer and better health outcomes.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Agriculture and Food
Related Subjects
Aging
Alaska
Computers and information technology
Disability and paralysis
Employment and training programs
Food assistance and relief
Hawaii
Health care costs and insurance
Income tax deductions
Poverty and welfare assistance
+2 more
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
3037, 119th Congress (2025). "Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-3037
