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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — State lawmakers are being urged to support a measure that supporters hope will decrease breast cancer deaths in the Commonwealth.
On Wednesday at the State House, the Massachusetts Chapter of the American College of Surgeons advocated for a bill (H 4918) that would require health insurers to expand coverage for breast cancer screenings.
According to State House News Service, the Senate passed its version of the bill on Monday and the House passed its version back in July. However, the Senate’s version would take effect at the start of 2026, while the House’s version would take effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
“We had 760 women die of breast cancer last year. My mother [died from breast cancer] years ago, so we’re trying to decrease that by having women go ahead and get the mammography, but also the follow-up imaging,” said Dr. Peter Hopewood, M.D.
Dr. Hopewood is a surgeon at Falmouth Hospital. He said expanded coverage would help more women get the help they need, regardless of financial limitations.
“The screening mammography is covered, but once they have to go back because they found something, an ultrasound, a diagnostic mammogram, a tomosynthesis, or an MRI can be hundreds and hundreds of dollars extra out of pocket,” said Dr. Hopewood.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Carl Stevens (@CarlWBZ) reports.
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