Improved Access to Osteoporosis Testing Act of 2003

This bill would have changed Medicare rules to cover the full cost of bone density tests used to detect osteoporosis. Under this proposal, the federal government would have paid 100 percent of the cost for these measurements, eliminating any out-of-pocket co-pays or deductibles for seniors and eligible individuals. The goal of the legislation was to remove financial barriers to preventative screenings, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment of bone loss. Although introduced in 2003, the bill did not advance past the committee stage to become law.