The Honorable J. Kevin Stitt,

We are writing to express our profound disappointment over your veto of House Bill 1389. Your veto critically limits life-saving care for Oklahoma women.

HB 1389 would have expanded access to critical, potentially life-saving breast cancer screenings—screenings that medical experts recommend and help with early detection when treatment is cheaper and more impactful. This screening is intended for cases of breast cancer that are harder to detect due to dense fibrous breast tissue; while not suitable for everyone, individuals in this category face a higher risk of their cancer going undetected until it is larger or has already begun to spread.

The bill was authored by a colleague currently battling breast cancer herself. HB 1389 was a bipartisan effort that passed the House 95-0. It included contrast-enhanced mammograms and molecular breast imaging in the definition of diagnostic breast cancer exams and required insurance coverage for supplemental screenings based on personal and family medical history. These screenings are not experimental. They are recommended by experts and widely recognized as essential tools in the early detection of breast cancer, which saves lives.

Your veto is disheartening to patients, doctors, families and the very values we all hold dear in our great state.

The Legislature passed HB 1389 with overwhelming, bipartisan support. We celebrate the override that took place on Thursday and we will continue to fight for the women and families who need these protections.

Tammy West

Toni Hasenbeck

Cyndi Munson

Melissa Provenzano

Trish Ranson

Stacy Jo Adams

Meloyde Blancett

Denise Crosswhite-Hader

Emily Gise

Ellyn Hefner

Michelle McCane

Annie Menz

Nicole Miller

Ajay Pittman

Ellen Pogemiller

Cynthia Roe

Suzanne Schreiber

Marilyn Stark

Tammy Townley

Brenda Stanley

Mary Boren

Jo Anna Dossett

Christi Gillespie

Regina Goodwin

Carri Hicks

Julia Kirk

Ally Seifried

Kristen Thompson