OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla –
Lawmakers in Oklahoma voted late Thursday night to override Governor Kevin Stitt’s veto of House Bill 1389, a bipartisan measure that expands insurance coverage for advanced breast cancer screenings. With a 42–2 vote in the Senate, the bill becomes law, mandating broader access to diagnostic tools that advocates say will save lives.
The governor initially rejected the bill over concerns about increased insurance costs, but legislators from both parties united to push it through, emphasizing early detection and preventive care for women across the state.
What House Bill 1389 Changes
House Bill 1389 updates Oklahoma’s requirements for mammography screening coverage. It expands insurance mandates to include a broader range of diagnostic and supplemental exams.
The bill requires health benefit plans to cover:
- Low-dose mammography screenings
- Diagnostic exams when abnormalities are suspected
- Supplemental exams for individuals at increased risk
Coverage must be provided without deductibles, co-pays or co-insurance, and cannot be limited to specific time intervals.
The law takes effect on Nov. 1, 2025.
Why the Governor Objected
Gov. Kevin Stitt vetoed the bill earlier this month, citing financial concerns.
“It would’ve imposed new and costly insurance mandates on private health plans, which would actually raise premiums on Oklahoma families and businesses,” Stitt said.
His opposition was overruled late Thursday as legislators voted overwhelmingly in support of the measure.
Celebration at the Capitol
The override vote prompted celebration on the Senate floor. Sen. Brenda Stanley, a Republican from Midwest City who carried the bill in the Senate, introduced its House author following the vote.
“I want you to know and I want to introduce the House author of House Bill 1389, Melissa Provenzano. We’ve done it — and we’ve done it well!” Stanley said as lawmakers applauded.
Supporters Praise the Outcome
Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, praised the override in a statement on social media:
“So proud and honored to be part of moving Oklahoma forward. Humans first. Politics second.”
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond also applauded the legislature:
“Lame duck Governor Stitt sided with special interests when he vetoed mandatory insurance coverage for mammograms, but our legislators have now overridden his veto. I thank them for their leadership, which will result in life-saving preventative care for women throughout our state.”
What’s Next
The law will officially go into effect on Nov. 1, 2025, giving insurance providers and health care systems time to implement the expanded coverage. For now, lawmakers and advocates are celebrating what they call a major win for women’s health.
As of Friday morning, the governor’s office had not issued a statement responding to the override.
