(Boston Orange 摘譯) 麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey) 今天 (11月18日) 簽署了一項法案，以擴大關鍵乳腺癌篩檢和檢查的覆蓋範圍，確保費用不會成為早期發現的障礙。該法將於
2026 年生效。
該法案要求保險公司承保更廣泛的檢查，包括：乳癌的診斷檢查，數位化乳房斷層合成篩檢，使用乳房 MRI 和超音波進行醫學上必要的篩檢等，旨在透過使女性，特別是那些乳房組織緻密或在初始乳房X光檢查中發現異常的女性更容易獲得必要的後續護理，來處理患乳癌結果的差異。
「乳癌的早期發現可以挽救生命，」奚莉州長說。 “這項立法將有助於確保費用不會成為女性獲得所需檢查和護理的障礙。”
該法案獲得了立法者和倡導者的廣泛支持。
參議院議長Karen E. Spilka表示：“今天，我們消除了做乳腺癌篩檢的障礙，讓我們的居民能夠領先於奪走太多生命的癌症。”
「這項法案將拯救生命，」眾議員James Murphy說。 “乳癌是女性癌症相關死亡的主要原因，必須採取一切措施改變這一現狀。”
Governor Healey Signs Breast Cancer Screening Bill
Legislation will increase access to breast cancer screening and early detection treatments for little to no cost
BOSTON – Today, Governor Maura Healey signed An Act Relative to Medically Necessary Breast Screenings and Exams for Equity and Early Detection. This comprehensive legislation will ensure that patients have access to follow-up breast cancer screenings and exams, while also preventing any increase in patient cost-sharing by 2026.
"We know that early detection of breast cancer saves lives. This legislation will help ensure that cost is not a barrier for women to get the screenings and care they need,” said Governor Healey. “I’m grateful to the Legislature for their leadership on this bill, and to the patients, providers and advocates who made their voices heard in support of more affordable and accessible care for Massachusetts residents.”
“Preventative care is essential. It helps save countless of lives and now, because of this legislation, patients across Massachusetts will have access to the necessary care they need at a lower cost,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We know that this legislation will improve cancer outcomes for so many people across the state.”
This legislation would, starting in 2026, require insurers to cover diagnostic exams for breast cancer, digital breast tomosynthesis screening, and medically necessary and appropriate screening with breast MRIs and ultrasounds. This legislation would also prevent any increase in patient cost-sharing, thus removing cost barriers for patients who need more rigorous screenings due to dense breast tissue or abnormalities seen in their initial preventive screening mammograms.
"Today we tear down a barrier to accessing breast cancer screenings and empower our residents to stay ahead of a cancer that takes far too many lives," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "I am grateful to Governor Healey for her signature, Senator Lovely and Senator Rush for their leadership, our partners in the House, and every advocate who has used the power of their voice to get this issue across the finish line."
“Ensuring that all residents in Massachusetts have access to early detection treatments for breast cancer, regardless of income, is a critical facet of catching cancer early and saving lives. That’s why I’m incredibly proud of this legislation, as it will help to prevent vulnerable residents from being denied the care that they need,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I want to thank Governor Healey for signing this bill into law, along with my colleagues in the Legislature for working hard to move this critical bill through the legislative process.”
“We know that in the fight against cancer, early detection is absolutely vital for the long-term success of the patients. We also know that for one out of every ten women, initial mammogram screenings are not sufficient to detect possible indicators of breast cancer. This legislation signed into law by Governor Healey today 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. I’m grateful to the Governor, Senator Lovely and Chairman Murphy, and Division Leader Balser for championing this issue with me, and to my legislative colleagues, particularly President Spilka and Speaker Mariano for their support. Finally, I thank the dozens of advocates and patients who shared their stories and pushed tirelessly to support women in the fight against breast cancer,” said Senator Mike Rush (D-West Roxbury).
“This bill will save lives,” said Representative James Murphy (D-Weymouth). “Breast cancer is a major cause of cancer related deaths among women and everything must be done to change this. This groundbreaking legislation will provide life saving health care for women throughout our Commonwealth.”
“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 Senator 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. Thank you to Governor Healey for signing this bill into law and bolstering the Commonwealth’s commitment to providing higher quality, more equitable, and more accessible healthcare for women.”
"This legislation will ensure that women have access to essential breast cancer screenings and diagnostic evaluations by eliminating significant financial barriers. Once again, Massachusetts has stepped up to ensure that women's health care needs are met,” said Representative Ruth Balser (D-Newton).
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