Idaho Passed Mandatory Breast Cancer Screening Coverage in 2025

With one week left in October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we took a look at what Idaho does to help those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and to help those in need of screening.

We learned that Idaho is among the worst states when it comes to screening and awareness, based on statistics from previous years, but that doesn’t mean Idaho isn’t trying.

Is Breast Cancer Screening Coverage Mandatory in Idaho

With screening numbers being so low in Idaho, legislators presented House Bill 134 in 2025 to require breast cancer screening coverage for women at high risk of developing the disease. The law went into effect after a nearly unanimous support vote in March.

While House Bill 134 makes it easier for high-risk women to get screened, it does still leave the choice in the hands of each individual. They can’t make you go to the doctor to get a mammogram. And that is one of the big issues in Idaho when it comes to breast cancer: women seem reluctant to get screened.

Statistics show that less than 70 percent of women who should be screened have had a mammogram. Some reports show that the trend is growing among younger women.

READ ALSO: How Does Idaho Rank in Breast Cancer Awareness and Prevention

Idaho Health and Welfare reported that Idaho ranks 50th for preventative breast cancer screening. Women between the ages of 47 and 74 should get screened for cancer every other year. Some women may need more frequent screening and should consult with their doctor to prepare a plan.

House Bill 134 is new in Idaho, but help options for at-risk women have been around for decades. The Comprehensive Cancer Control Program is a nationwide effort that began in 2005 to detect cancer earlier and support those with diagnoses. Women’s Health Check is an Idaho program that works hand in hand with the Idaho Comprehensive Cancer Control Program.