New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed new legislation into law that requires insurance companies to cover medically necessary mammograms for women between the ages of 35 and 39.
The legislation is known as “Shannon’s Law” after Long Island resident Shannon Saturno, who was died from breast cancer at the age of 31. Insurance companies in New York are currently only required to cover screening mammograms for women 40 years old and older.
“We know that with cancer diagnoses, early detection is the best possible treatment,” Cuomo said in a prepared statement. “This administration has taken and will continue to take aggressive action to break down any barriers to breast cancer screenings for women across the state. By signing this legislation, we are taking another step to break down barriers to breast cancer screening and improve access to health care for all women in New York.”
“I strongly believe in the importance of early detection, and it is imperative that individuals under 40 have access to annual mammograms when deemed medically necessary,” State Senator Monica R. Martinez said in the same statement. “With one in eight women developing breast cancer in their lifetime, the enactment of this bill is critical to enabling early detection and saving lives.”
Prior Radiology Business coverage of Cuomo’s efforts to improve breast cancer screening for women can be read here, here and here.
Michael has more than 16 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.