As the new year began, New York implemented new health care laws announced by Governor Kathy Hochul. Starting January 1, health insurers are required to cover EpiPens, breast cancer screenings and imaging, and scalp-cooling systems for chemotherapy, with limits on out-of-pocket costs to reduce financial burden. "New Yorkers shouldn’t have to choose between putting food on the table or being able to afford life-saving medical devices and procedures," Governor Hochul said in a statement, as per the Governor's Office.
Prior to this legislation, the cost of EpiPens had soared to extreme heights, spiking up to a 600 percent increase since Mylan acquired the rights in 2007. With the new law, EpiPens, which are essential for those at risk of severe allergic reactions, will now be accessible for many who previously struggled to afford them. Insurance companies are required to cover the devices and are to cap annual out-of-pocket expenses at $100, a significant shift aimed to ensure no New Yorker will be forced to go without these lifesaving injections due to cost.
When it comes to battling breast cancer, New Yorkers are facing grim statistics with one in eight females expected to develop the disease in their lifetime. The new laws will bolster early detection efforts by expanding coverage for diagnostic procedures recommended by nationally recognized guidelines. These measures encompass diagnostic mammograms, ultrasounds, and MRIs, potentially impacting the rates of both detection and survival. The state has firmly put its foot down on cost-sharing, clarifying these critical screenings should bear no financial weight that might deter patients from proceeding with the recommended care.
State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, who championed the bill for scalp cooling coverage, spoke personally to its importance: "I introduced the scalp cooling bill year after year, and it really hit home for me personally in 2023 when my daughter-in-law, Kristen Zebrowski Stavisky, was diagnosed with breast cancer." Scalp cooling systems are an invaluable treatment that can help to maintain a sense of identity for those undergoing the often arduous process of chemotherapy. Until now, these treatments, without insurance, could set patients back $1,500 to $3,000 per chemotherapy round. With the new law, insurers are obliged to provide coverage for these systems, addressing not only the physical but also the emotional aspects of cancer treatment, the Governor's Office noted.
Assemblymember Pamela J. Hunter highlighted the broader impacts of the legislation. "This law is about fairness, dignity, and basic common sense. By capping the cost of lifesaving EpiPens, expanding access to critical breast cancer screening, and covering scalp cooling for people undergoing chemotherapy, we are removing financial barriers that have no place in our health care system," Hunter told the press, as noted by the Governor's Office.
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