Enacts "Shannon's law"; relates to requiring insurance companies to cover annual mammograms for breast cancer screening for covered persons aged thirty-five and older.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
 
BILL NUMBER: A6731C
SPONSOR: Jean-Pierre
 
TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the insurance law, in relation to
enacting "Shannon's Law"
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would increase access to annual breast exams for New Yorkers
aged thirty-five through thirty-nine.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Provides that this act shall be known as "Shannon's Law"
Section 2. Amends subparagraph (A) of paragraph 11 of subsection (i) of
3216 of the insurance law to require every policy that provides coverage
for hospital, surgical, or medical care to provide coverage for an annu-
al mammogram for covered persons aged thirty-five through thirty-nine
upon the recommendation of a physician.
Section 3. Amends subparagraph (A) of paragraph 11 of subsection (1) of
3221 of the insurance law to require every group or blanket policy that
provides coverage for hospital, surgical, or medical care to provide
coverage for an annual mammogram for covered persons aged thirty-five
through thirty-nine upon the recommendation of a physician.
Section 4. Amends paragraph 1 of subsection (p) of S 4303 of the insur-
ance law to require every medical expense indemnity corporation, hospi-
tal service corporation or health service corporation that provides
coverage for hospital, surgical or medical care to provide coverage for
an annual mammogram for covered persons aged thirty-five through thir-
ty-nine upon the recommendation of a physician.
Section 5. Sets forth the effective date.
 
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
Amended bill provides that insurers are required to provide coverage of
annual mammograms upon the recommendation of a physician.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
One in 227 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer
between the ages of 30 and 40. It is estimated that 13,110 cases of
breast cancer will be in women under age 40 and approximately 26,275
women will be under 45 years of age. Women ages 15 to 34 and 35 to 54
die more frequently from breast cancer than other cancer. In Suffolk and
Nassau counties alone, there is a, new diagnosis every week. We can no
longer overlook that this is now an epidemic. Young women generally face
more aggressive cancers and lower survival rates. The current informa-
tion provided for breast health is not meant for the younger generation.
There is a lack of resources regarding this "global crisis" in the
curriculum. Revision of the current mammogram age recommendations bene-
fits will outweigh the risks. This legislation would give young women
the opportunity to seek early detection and the life-saving power of
intervention.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
None,
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.