Health care insurance; to eliminate cost-sharing for screening of men who are at high risk for prostate cancer

SB 19 requires Alabama health insurance plans to cover prostate cancer screening with no deductibles or copays for two groups: all men over 50 and men at high risk (defined as African American men or those with a father, brother, or son diagnosed with prostate cancer or related risk factors). It expands existing law, which previously only mandated free screening for men over 50, to include high-risk younger men starting at age 40. The bill applies to all health insurance plans in Alabama and takes effect October 1, 2026. This policy change directly affects insurers (mandating coverage without cost-sharing) and beneficiaries (eliminating out-of-pocket costs for specified screenings).