BILL NUMBER: S2000
SPONSOR: ADDABBO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the insurance law and the social services law, in
relation to mandatory health insurance coverage for follow-up screening
or diagnostic services for lung cancer
 
PURPOSE:
Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers among New Yorkers. In New
York it is the leading cause of cancer deaths. Each year over 6,700 men
and over 7,200 women are diagnosed with lung cancer and about 3,800 men
and over 3,600 women die from this disease. In New York State, lung
cancer death rates among men and women have been declining since 1995,
but the decline among women has been slower. It is hard to detect lung
cancer early without a screening test. This is because symptoms usually
do not show until the cancer has reached later stages, when it is more
difficult to treat. This bill will provide comprehensive-type coverage
for lung cancer screenings and increase access to these life savings
screenings. Access to cancer screening, follow-up testing, and treatment
should not depend on a patient's ability to pay.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: paragraph.Amends section 3216 of the insurance law by adding
a new
Section 2: paragraph.Amends section 3221 of the insurance law by adding
a new
Section 3:Amends section 4303 of the insurance law by adding a new
subsection(vv)
Section 4: would set the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
In 2024, an estimated 14,200 New Yorkers were diagnosed with lung cancer
including 6,600 men and over 7,600 women and about 6,100 died from the
disease including about 3,100 men and over 3,000 women. Screeningfor
lung cancer with annual low-dose CT scansamong those at high risk can
reduce the lung cancer death rate by up to 20% by detecting the disease
at early stages when it is more likely to be curable. For screening to
be most effective in reducing the overall lung cancer mortality rate,
more of the high-risk population should be screened - currently screen-
ing rates are very low among those at high risk. This may be because of
a lack of access or low awareness and knowledge among patients and
providers. Rates vary tremendously between states and more can be done
to increase screening rates. In New York, 19.3% of those at high risk
for lung cancer were screened, which was not significantly different
than the national rate of 16.0%.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: S.8553C - Passed Senate
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on January 1, 2027 and shall apply to all
policies and contracts issued, renewed, modified, altered or amended on
or after such date.

Statutes affected:
S2000: 3216 insurance law, 3216(i) insurance law, 3221 insurance law, 3221(l) insurance law, 4303 insurance law, 365-a social services law, 365-a(2) social services law