Malden legislators help enact legislation to expand access to breast cancer screenings

Special to The Advocate

Recently State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representatives Paul Donato, Steve Ultrino and Kate Lipper-Garabedian joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature to enact 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.

Earlier this year the Senate and House had passed differing versions of this legislation. After those versions were reconciled, the legislation was enacted and placed before Governor Maura Healey. The Governor signed the bill into law last week as Chapter 231 of the Acts of 2024.

“I was pleased to support passage of this important healthcare legislation,” said Senator 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.”

“This pivotal piece of legislation exhibits our dedication to providing all individuals with access to essential healthcare services,” said Representative Donato. “Early detection of breast cancer can save lives and create opportunities for individuals to receive necessary care. No one should face financial barriers in accessing these vital screenings. I am proud of my colleagues for joining together to pass this important legislation.”

“The passage of this bill demonstrates the Legislature’s commitment to health equity,” said Representative Ultrino. “This healthcare legislation is a victory for patients across the Commonwealth by expanding access to medically necessary breast cancer screenings.”

“One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime and in this year alone, more than 6000 people in Massachusetts will be diagnosed,” said Representative Lipper-Garabedian. “I was proud to join the legislature to pass this critical legislation that will ensure Massachusetts residents are afforded the opportunity to access all necessary screenings for breast cancer detection. Early detection saves lives, and this bill will allow Massachusetts to remain a national leader in providing screenings and care.”

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%.