LaValle Legislation To Help Breast Cancer Patients Recover From A Partial Mastectomy, Now Law

Senator Kenneth P. LaValle's (R-C-I, Port Jefferson) bill that would help some breast cancer patients by requiring insurance companies to cover reconstruction for partial mastectomies has been signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo.

The bill (S3801A. CH. 302), sponsored by Senator  LaValle (R-C-I, Port Jefferson), adds partial mastectomies to the law that already covers reconstruction for full mastectomies. It would ensure that  breast cancer patients who undergo the partial loss of a breast have reconstruction as an option covered by insurance.

“This law follows my 1997 legislation, now law, requiring insurance providers to include coverage for complete breast reconstructive surgery following a mastectomy,” Senator LaValle said. “Partial mastectomy is the most common form of breast cancer surgery and should be required to be covered by insurance providers.”

“Women who are diagnosed with breast cancer should be able concentrate on getting well and recovering, not about whether insurance will pay for reconstruction if they are undergoing a partial mastectomy,” Senator LaValle added.

The law follows another LaValle measure, legislation he supported to improve early breast cancer detection that was signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo on July 24. The new law (S6769B) will increase women’s awareness of the presence of dense breast tissue found during a mammography exam. Dense breast tissue may make it more difficult to detect tumors.   “This new law will help save women’s lives by increasing awareness of a known breast cancer risk factor. Along with routine breast cancer screenings, the information provided by physicians to those with dense breast tissue can help increase early detection of the disease and give patients a greater ability to make educated decisions about their health,” Senator LaValle said.