NY Breast Density Inform Law Heads to Governor Cuomo's Desk

Women’s health legislation in New York took another step forward today with the bicameral passage of a Breast Density Inform law that would place more information in the hands of patients. The legislation mandates that women identified as having dense breasts through mammography must be given a plain-language explanation about their risk for breast cancer. These women would also be invited to ask their doctors about adjunctive screenings, and insurers would be required to provide coverage for the initial mammogram as well as for other imaging studies “for occult breast cancer.” NY Senate sponsors of the measure included John J. Flanagan (2nd Senate District); Ellen Jaffee of the (95th District) sponsored it in the Assembly. A press release from Senator Flanagan thanked personally JoAnn Pushkin of Are You Dense Advocacy, Inc. The group maintains a map of breast density imaging laws in various states of process throughout the country. If Governor Andrew Cuomo signs the measure, New York will join Connecticut, Texas, and Virginia as the fourth U.S. state to enact a law on breast density information. A national bill is pending in Congress.