The proposed bill aims to mandate coverage for lung cancer screenings in Arkansas by adding a new subchapter to the Arkansas Code Title 23, Chapter 79. It establishes that, starting January 1, 2026, all health benefit plans offered in the state must provide coverage for lung cancer screenings and follow-up healthcare services in accordance with American Cancer Society guidelines. Importantly, this coverage will not be subject to annual deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance limits, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent individuals from accessing these critical screenings.

The bill also outlines the legislative findings that underscore the urgency of this mandate, highlighting the high lung cancer death rates in Arkansas and the low rates of screening among eligible individuals. It emphasizes the need for increased awareness and accessibility of lung cancer screenings, particularly in rural areas, and calls for the Insurance Commissioner and other relevant authorities to implement necessary rules to facilitate this coverage. Overall, the bill seeks to improve early detection of lung cancer, ultimately aiming to reduce mortality rates associated with the disease in Arkansas.