In Advance of National Women's Health Week, Senate Takes Action

This year, May 12th is not only Mother's Day -- it also marks the beginning of National Women's Health Week.

Senator Jack M. Martins is pleased to report that he voted to approve two critically important bills that are designed to improve women's health care throughout our state. These measures include the following:

Breast Cancer Mapping (S.3768) -- Few New York families haven't been touched in some way by the great pain, suffering and loss that can be caused by breast cancer. Fortunately, both the Senate and Assembly have now taken action on legislation allowing funds from the Breast Cancer Research and Education Fund to be used for breast cancer mapping initiatives, and to generate innovative proposals that can help identify why some areas are more prone to breast cancer than others. We've made great strides in identifying the incidences of breast cancer statewide, but more can and should be done to isolate clusters and areas of the state where this insidious disease is more common than others.

Promoting Awareness of Women’s Health Coverage (S.3817) -- This legislation directs the state Department of Health (DOH) to create a new website that provides a wide array of additional information about women’s health issues, coverage for preventive services, and key health care resources that are available across New York State. By increasing public awareness of newly-covered health care services, and by encouraging more women to receive preventive services and screenings, we can and will help save lives. Having been passed by the Senate, the bill now goes to the Assembly.

"I was proud to support these important measures, and will continue fighting to improve the quality and accessibility of health care for you and your family throughout the remainder of the Legislative Session. These two potentially life-saving initiatives help to achieve that goal," Senator Martins said.