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Expanded Coverage for Early Cancer Detection, Contraception for All Women
Tuesday, February 5, 2002
The New York State Senate today passed legislation that requires expanded insurance coverage for prevention, early detection and treatment of breast and cervical cancer, osteoporosis and other women�s health needs, as well as coverage for prescription contraceptives for all women.
"This bill is the culmination of more than two years of work to get a result that will provide women with expanded access to a critical health care services that can save lives," Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno said. "The legislation reflects the input of many women�s health advocacy groups and other organizations in an effort to reach a compromise that achieves the goals of increased access for women�s health care services, broader health insurance coverage and protecting religious freedoms."
"This bill will build on the Senate Majority�s long history of promoting and supporting measures that enhance women�s health and that of all New Yorkers," Senator Bruno added. "This bill represents another leap forward in promoting healthy lives."
The bill (S.6265) closes several loopholes in existing law that limited some women�s access to early detection screenings for breast and cervical cancer. Additionally, it provides coverage according to nationally recognized criteria for women to detect and treat osteoporosis, a bone-weakening condition that affects nearly half of women, usually by age 50.
Women who have difficulty meeting costs for breast or cervical exams because of high insurance deductibles will be provided free screenings through the Healthy Women�s Partnership Program which is offered through the State Department Health.
The Senate�s Women�s Health bill requires contraceptive drugs and devices be included in the prescription coverage provided by insurers and HMOs. Many employers and health plans already include such coverage.
Religious organizations with faith-based objections are exempt if they primarily employ and serve members of that faith. These employees must, however, be provided access to contraceptive coverage through lower-cost group rates. A majority of states that statutorily require contraceptive coverage have similar exemption provisions for religious organizations.
"This Women�s Health bill would not leave one woman behind in providing coverage for services they need and deserve," said Senator John Bonacic (R-C, Mount Hope). "It�s time for the Assembly to stop playing politics, pass this bill and save women�s lives."
"Millions of New Yorkers will benefit directly from the passage of this legislation," said Kelli Conlin, Executive Director of the New York affiliate of the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL). "We applaud the state Senate for demonstrating a genuine commitment to meeting the health care needs of New York�s women."
"On behalf of women�s health advocated around New York State who have worked for years to improve health care coverage and access, I applaud this new Senate proposal," JoAnn Smith, President of Family Planning Advocates of New York, said. "This embraces the principles that access to preventive health care is a right which should be available to all women, regardless of how much money they have or where they work."
"Breast cancer is a leading cause of death in women under the age of 50," Mara Ginsberg, President of the breast cancer advocacy group To Life!, said. "Early diagnosis is critical to saving their lives. This legislation is an appropriate response to arm women with expanded resources for early diagnosis, treatment and a healthy life. We applaud Senator Bruno�s efforts for improving the lives of New York state residents by advancing health insurance coverage."
"Senator Bruno has delivered on the thousands of postcards we delivered to him just a few weeks ago-- reminders from women across the state that still in the Legislature�s control are the basic health care needs of New York�s women," said Dr. Howard L. Minkoff, Chair of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynacologists� New York State Legislative Committee. "The Senate today responded to the 9.4 million women constituents who are counting on their elected officials to finally make this vital bill a reality. The Senate just opened the door wider than ever to the Assembly, and we are confident that the Assembly leadership will accept the challenge this places before them."
"We thank Senator Bruno for his commitment to this critical issue and health care in general. This bill certainly will benefit those who cannot meet the criteria for screening and give those people a chance whose financial circumstances do not allow them to meet their deductible," said Geri Barish, President of 1 in 9: The Long Island Breast Cancer Action Coalition & Hewlett House. "Such bills are an example of the growing focus our state has on improved health care options and initiatives."
The Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance, the Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition and Capital Region Action Against Breast Cancer also applauded the Senate Bill: "We applaud the effort and willingness of the New York State Senate to dialogue with breast cancer organizations on this bill and other bills affecting women with breast cancer such as the Breast Cancer survivors Support Initiative, which has brought vital services to tens of thousands of New York State women."
Specifically, the Women�s Health measure provides:
BREAST/CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING
* expands women�s access to mammography and cervical cancer screenings by closing a loophole in earlier laws requiring coverage that exempted some "multistate" policies;
* requires insurers to pay for annual breast cancer-detecting mammograms for women beginning at age 40, based on a mutual doctor/patient decision. Current law requires coverage for biannual screenings for women aged 40 to 49, and annually from age 50.
OSTEOPOROSIS EXAMS
* requires coverage for medically necessary tests, like routine bone density exams, to detect the bone-crippling disease osteoporosis, according to National Institutes of Health and Medicare guidelines for frequency of such exams.
CONTRACEPTIVE COVERAGE
* requires that prescription drug plans include coverage for approved contraceptive drugs and devices;
* certain religious organizations are exempt from providing such coverage when the nonprofit employer�s main mission is religious, and it primarily employs and serves people of that religion. Employees of these organizations would be able to purchase this coverage at a lower cost group rate.
OBSTETRICS/GYNECOLOGY DIRECT ACCESS
* clarifies a 1994 law allowing women to choose an obstetrician/gynecologist without a referral from a primary care physician to cover all women enrolled in eligible plans.
New York -- led by the Senate -- has been a trailblazer in expanding required coverage for women�s health needs. Earlier laws initiated by the Senate required coverage for early testing for breast and cervical cancer, when treatment options offer the best hope for full and healthful recovery, required coverage for post-treatment breast reconstruction, and ended such dubious practices as "drive-thru" child births and mastectomies.
"These earlier efforts have certainly resulted in dramatic declines in the number of women who were previously undiagnosed with often preventable and treatable diseases," said Senator Bruno. "The Women�s Health bill builds on this strong tradition of concern and caring for New York women and their health needs."
The bill was sent to the Assembly.
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