South Queens, NY – New York State Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato celebrated the 2-year anniversary of the enactment of her nation-leading legislation, A.8537 from 2022, which guarantees insurance coverage for all forms of post-mastectomy surgery. Specifically, the Assemblywoman’s bill fully authorized insurance coverage for aesthetic flat closure, a choice women can make to obtain a flat chest instead of breast reconstruction. With the enactment of Pheffer Amato’s legislation, New York became the first State in the country to provide this right to women and guarantee their ability to have full autonomy over their chests.

Aesthetic Flat Closure is an option for women who have had a full or partial mastectomy and wish to have a flat chest wall instead of having reconstructive surgery or breast implants. Prior to Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato’s legislation, reconstructive surgery or breast implants were covered by insurance, but the option to go flat was not. This denial of coverage, which was deemed “cosmetic” led to women being left with pockets of skin, or flaps of skin, on their chest. Roughly 62.5% of women who have a mastectomy have sought to opt-out of breast reconstruction and go for the aesthetic flat closure option. Pheffer Amato’s law ensures that women in New York have all options covered by insurance!

“This bill impacts women,” said Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato. “2 years later and this type of coverage is outlined in every insurance booklet in New York State. This work has ensured a woman can make the choice on how she wants her post-mastectomy body to look! We all know someone who has been impacted by breast cancer, and this law ensures that women don’t just survive, but thrive, and feel good about their own body. This bill pays tribute to those that didn’t have a choice, and now celebrates all the women who do,” said the Assemblywoman.