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The following was submitted by the Office of Sen. Jason Lewis:
Sens. Jason Lewis and Pat Jehlen and Reps. Michael Day and Michelle Ciccolo joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature to pass legislation that requires health insurers to provide coverage for diagnostic examinations for breast cancer.
An act relative to medically necessary breast screenings and exams for equity and early detection requires health insurance providers to provide coverage for diagnostic examinations for breast cancer, digital breast tomosynthesis screening, and medically necessary and appropriate screening with breast magnetic resonance imaging.
Although access to routine preventive screening mammograms is currently covered under the federal Affordable Care Act, this legislation goes further by requiring coverage for certain screenings and exams that are not currently uniformly covered.
“I was pleased to support passage of this important healthcare legislation,” said Lewis. “It will ensure that all women are able to access all medically necessary and appropriate breast cancer screenings, which will enable early detection and save lives.”
“Early detection is crucial for patients to have the best outcomes possible,” said Jehlen. “Breaking down any barriers to equitable and accessible healthcare like screenings and follow-up exams can save lives. I am so glad to pass this legislation. It follows up on the bill passed with the leadership of former Rep. Denise Provost, which provided women to receive information if their mammogram revealed dense breast tissue.”
“We know routine screening and early detection play a critical role in raising the survival rate for breast cancer patients,” said Day. “I was proud to support this legislation to ensure that all residents of the Commonwealth have greater access to preventative healthcare services, regardless of their financial status.”
“Uniform coverage of preventative screenings is crucial in ensuring that everyone receives the best possible medical care and will unquestionably save lives,” said Ciccolo. “I am incredibly proud to join my colleagues in supporting this legislation.”
According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, breast cancer was the leading cancer among Massachusetts women between 2016 and 2020, accounting for over 30% of all new cancer diagnoses in the state, afflicting more than 30,000 individuals and resulting in 4,010 deaths.
According to the American Cancer Society, when breast cancer is localized and detected early, the five-year relative survival rate is 99%.
After final passage in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, Gov. Maura Healey signed the bill into law on Nov. 14, 2024.
