By Bob Katzen

Gov. Healey signed into law legislation that would require health insurance companies to provide coverage for diagnostic examinations for breast cancer, digital breast tomosynthesis screening and medically necessary and appropriate screening with breast magnetic resonance imaging.

Supporters noted that although access to routine preventive screening mammograms is currently covered under the Affordable Care Act, this legislation would go further and require coverage for certain screenings and exams currently not uniformly covered by law.

“We know that early detection of breast cancer saves lives,” said Healey. “This legislation will help ensure that cost is not a barrier for women to get the screenings and care they need.”

“Today is the culmination of work I have done for nearly a decade to ensure that all women have access to necessary, and possibly lifesaving, breast cancer screenings,” said sponsor Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem). “Early detection of breast cancer saves lives. This legislation makes those diagnostic exams used for early detection accessible and affordable, giving women the vital resources needed to catch breast cancer in its earliest stages.”

“This legislation signed into law by Gov. Healey ensures that all women in the commonwealth have access to the digital breast tomosynthesis and MRI screening they need to catch cancer early, without facing financial barriers,” said Sen. Mike Rush (D-Boston). “The increased access to early detection that this enabled through this legislation will save lives.”

“Cost is a known barrier to completing follow up cancer screenings,” Marc Hymovitz, Massachusetts director of government relations for American Cancer Society Action Network. “By eliminating the potential for unexpected costs, we can increase the likelihood of timely, follow up screenings for those who need them – and thus the promise of better health outcomes – for all communities.”