• Require 210 hospitals and hospital extension clinics to offer extended hours of screening for at least four hours per week to help women who have difficulty scheduling mammograms during the typical 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. workday. These hours include 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday or Sunday;
•  Eliminate annual deductibles, co-payments, and co-insurance payments (“cost-sharing”) for all screening mammograms, including those provided to women more frequently than current federal screening guidelines such as annual mammograms for women in their forties;
•  Eliminate cost-sharing for diagnostic imaging for breast cancer, including diagnostic mammograms, breast ultrasounds, and breast MRIs for women at high risk for breast cancer. As a result, women in need of tests other than standard mammograms will not have to pay any additional out-of-pocket expenses for these most common diagnostic tests;
•  Adds public employees of cities with a population of one million or more, to the population of public employees in New York State who are currently allowed four hours of leave for screening for breast cancer each year. Current state law requires all public employers to provide their employees with four hours of leave each year for breast cancer screening. Now public employees in New York City will receive the same benefit as all other public employees statewide.

“I am proud that New York State is at the forefront of promoting breast cancer screening,” said NYS Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker. “Governor Cuomo’s initiatives will increase the chances of early detection, which will result in earlier and more effective treatment. These new laws will make a positive difference in the health and the lives of women around the state.”

“Early detection of breast cancer saves women’s lives,” said Acting Financial Services Superintendent Maria T. Vullo. “This legislation, which removes the financial impediments to vital screening and diagnostic imaging, will help women and families and will improve the chances that breast cancer will be found early and treated successfully. I applaud Governor Cuomo for taking this important and aggressive action for women across New York State. ”

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in New York State. Each year, approximately 15,000 women in New York are newly diagnosed with breast cancer, and approximately 2,640 die from the disease. 

Screening for breast cancer, which includes mammography, can increase the detection of the disease at an early stage, when treatment is most effective. In 2014, nearly 22 percent of women in New York State aged 50-74 reported not having mammograms at least every other year. 

The Community Preventive Services Task Force, an independent panel of experts appointed by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has determined that structural barriers, such as lack of convenient office hours, have a significant impact on a woman’s ability to be screened. Due to work and family obligations, women often have difficulty scheduling mammograms during the typical 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. workday. Other barriers to screening include transportation, not understanding the importance of screenings and fears that mammograms are painful. 

Julie Hart, Director of Government Relations for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network said, “Governor Cuomo’s bold step to improve women’s access to breast cancer screening by requiring hospitals to provide extended hours for mammography services is the right move for the state. Improved access to early detection services means more cancers will be found at earlier, more treatable stages and more lives will be saved.”

Shakiba Muhammadi of Susan G. Komen Greater New York City said, “We are very grateful to Governor Cuomo, Majority Leader Flanagan and Speaker Heastie for enacting this crucial legislation that will help increase access to and coverage for breast cancer screening. We know that early detection provides the best chance for survival, and we applaud our state leaders for this aggressive plan that will benefit so many women in New York.”

Maureen Killackey, M.D., Chair of the New York State Cancer Detection and Education Program Advisory Council said, "This is a truly patient centered action. Extended and increased screening hours, and reduced financial barriers to high quality screening services will ensure that New York State women will have access to earlier breast cancer detection. Governor Cuomo and the State Legislature are ensuring that more cases of breast cancer will be detected earlier and more women will get the treatment they need sooner. The bottom line is that this legislation is going to save lives.”

Roswell Park Cancer Institute President & CEO Candace S. Johnson, PhD said, “These new laws are a game-changer for women’s health and will help women to be proactive and to have the best opportunities for early detection, successful treatment and great quality of life. Roswell Park is encouraged that lawmakers were able to come together on this vital issue to address the barriers to screening and insurance coverage that so many women face.”

Many barriers exist for individuals whose working hours or other commitments and responsibilities prevent them from undertaking a cancer screening. In New York, state employees currently receive four hours of annual leave for breast cancer screening. To ensure that all New Yorkers have access to breast screening services, the state is asking all private sector employers to grant the same type of benefit to their employees and provide four hours of annual leave. 35 companies are actively engaged in the state’s effort. Any employer wishing to join can submit their contact information here.