S4850

The New York State Senate passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Chris Ryan to expand insurance coverage for breast cancer screenings to women with second-degree relatives who have had the disease. The bill, S4850, passed on a roll call vote of 56-0. Currently, insurance covers screenings only for women with first-degree relatives affected by breast cancer. Ryan argued the expansion is critical given that the American Cancer Society estimates approximately 280,000 new invasive breast cancer cases will be diagnosed nationally in 2025, with about 43,000 deaths, and over 17,000 cases anticipated in New York State alone. "Family history is a well-established risk factor for breast cancer," Ryan said, noting that evidence shows second-degree relatives also face increased risk. The bill ensures women will not face exorbitant out-of-pocket costs for screenings that could detect cancer earlier and save lives. Sen. Mattera, who supported the measure, shared that his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer despite undergoing annual screenings, calling the legislation "so, so important" for families and loved ones. The bill takes effect 60 days after becoming law.