News Release

Mandated Benefits Review - Senate Bill 1057 - News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Joe Martin, Communications Director
717-232-6787 or

Harrisburg, PA - April 30, 1998 - There is insufficient proof that broad-based osteoporosis screening via bone density testing would improve the qualify of life and reduce associated health care costs according to the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council's preliminary review of Senate Bill 1057. The Council did not receive the necessary and required information on the social and financial impact or the medical efficacy from proponents and opponents of Senate Bill 1057 to warrant recommending its approval as it is currently written. Senate Bill 1057, the proposed Osteoporosis Early Detection Act requiring insurers to provide coverage for diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis, was referred to the Council by the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee.

In its report, Findings of the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council: Mandated Benefits Review of Senate Bill 1057 , the Council shows the following key information:

There is a serious and significant need for public education regarding osteoporosis prevention;
No universal level of bone mineral density at which osteoporosis is defined could be found;
Sufficient proof that coverage of bone density testing actually improves preventive efforts or reduces the incidence of osteoporotic fractures could not be found;
Using perimenopausal status as a definition for the clinical indication of bone density testing would result in very broad-based screening using methods for which there does not appear to be solid research to support efficacy (It is also noted in the report that the National Osteoporosis Foundation does not recommend universal screening);
Potential cost to Pennsylvanian consumers and purchasers could reach as high as $275 million annually; no information was provided that could be used to determine the degree to which the long term savings from prevention would outweigh the cost of the benefit.

The Findings of the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council: Mandated Benefits Review of Senate Bill 1057 was produced after examining the Council's hospitalization and average charge data and the documentation provided by proponents and opponents of the bill. In addition, the Council conducted significant independent research on this issue. A copy of the full report is available upon request.

The Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council is an independent state agency responsible for addressing the cost and quality of health care in Pennsylvania. Act 34 of 1993 provides that the Council review existing or proposed mandated health benefits when requested by the executive and legislative branches of government.