New Law Decreases Barriers to Additional Breast Cancer Screenings
Governor Maura Healey recently signed into law legislation that will ensure patients have access to follow-up breast cancer screenings and exams, while preventing any increase in patient cost-sharing.
Weymouth-based providers, Katrina F. Chu, MD and Henry Su, MD, and Mammography supervisor Michele Kilmain accompanied state Representative James M. Murphy (D-Weymouth) to the bill signing. Dr. Chu, who practices at Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center at South Shore Health, along with Kilmain, had been advocating for passage of the bill through her work on the Executive Committee of the Massachusetts Radiological Society.
“This new law reduces economic barriers that prevent many patients from accessing lifesaving care,” said Dr. Chu. “Too often we’ve seen women not return to find out if they have cancer on an abnormal screening mammogram, or delay or forgo evaluation if they feel a breast lump because they cannot afford the co-pay or deductible. Some women identified as having elevated risk for developing breast cancer do not undergo the recommended additional screening tools, such as breast MRI or ultrasound,” Chu added.
“This bill will save lives,” said Rep. Murphy. “Breast cancer is a major cause of cancer-related to deaths among women and everything must be done to change this. This groundbreaking legislation will provide lifesaving health care for women throughout our Commonwealth.”
Beginning in 2026, the law will require insurers to cover diagnostic exams for breast cancer, digital breast (3D) tomosynthesis screening, and medically necessary and appropriate screening with the use of breast MRIs and ultrasounds.
The legislation will also prevent any increase in patient cost-sharing, thus removing cost barriers for patients needing more rigorous screenings due to dense breast tissue or abnormalities seen in their initial preventive mammograms.
"We know that early detection of breast cancer saves lives,” said Gov. Healey. This legislation will help ensure that cost is not a barrier for women to get the screenings and care they need.”
“With this new law, those economic barriers are gone," Dr. Chu said. “The law will save lives, giving more women the chance to be cured of their breast cancer and bringing us one step closer to eliminating healthcare disparities.”
“We are extremely grateful to Governor Healey, Representative Jamie Murphy, Senator Mike Rush, Representative Ruth Balser, and Senator Joan Lovely, and members of the House and Senate for their sponsorship and support of the Breast Cancer Health Equity bill. We are also very thankful to the many patients and grassroots organizations that supported this bill,” Chu added.
