BILL NUMBER: S1756
SPONSOR: PERSAUD
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law and the insurance law, in relation
to creating esophageal cancer educational pamphlets and requiring
esophageal cancer testing and treatments be covered by certain insurance
plans
 
PURPOSE:
Creates esophageal cancer educational pamphlets and requires esophageal
cancer testing and treatments be covered by certain insurance plans.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section I of the public health law is amended by adding a new section
2404-e that established the development of a standardized written summa-
ry and educational pamphlet relating to esophageal cancer.
Subsection (i) of section 3216 of the insurance law is amended by adding
a new paragraph 39 that requires policies that provide coverage for
hospital, surgical or medical care to also provide coverage for esopha-
geal cancer screening when deemed necessary.
Subsection (I) of section 3221 of the insurance law is amended by adding
a new paragraph 22 that requires insurers that provide group or blanket
policies providing coverage for hospital, surgical or medical care to
also provide coves age for esophageal cancer screening when deemed
necessary.
Section 4303 of the insurance law is amended by adding a new
subsection(uu) that requires medical expense indemnity corporations,
hospital service corporations, and health service corporations that
provide coverage for hospital, surgical or medical care to also provide
coverage for esophageal cancer screening when deemed necessary.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Esophageal cancer is a condition with poor prognosis at advanced stages
(Tustumi, 2016), with a five-year overall survival rate of 20.6%
(national Cancer Institute, 2018) (Joseph et. al. 2022). Symptoms typi-
cally do not appear until during later ò stages (according to the Sidney
Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center), highlighting the need for screening
and early detection in effective treatment of esophageal cancer. As
prognosis is favorable when diagnosed early (Joseph et. al, 2022),
educational materials can increase awareness of this condition, leading
to better survival rates and a better quality of life before and after
treatment.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
202R-2024: S5132 - Referred. to Health.
 
FISCAL IMPACT ON THE STATE:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to policies and
contracts issued, renewed, modified, altered or amended on and after
such date.

Statutes affected:
S1756: 3216 insurance law, 3216(i) insurance law, 3221 insurance law, 3221(l) insurance law, 4303 insurance law