Governor Hochul signs legislation requiring health insurance to provide covered follow-up screenings, diagnostic services for lung cancer

ALBANY, NY- Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation to make life-saving medical care more affordable and accessible for New Yorkers.

This law now requires health insurance policies to provide coverage for follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer, and prevents insurance policies from imposing cost-sharing for those services.

“Signing this legislation means that thousands of New Yorkers can focus on what is truly important: their health and well-being,” she said.

"With this law, New York is making clear that no one should face financial barriers to getting the care they need.”

According to New York health experts, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths statewide.

Each year approximately 13,900 New Yorkers are diagnosed with lung cancer and about 7,400 die from this disease.

"This legislation is a meaningful step forward in protecting the health of New Yorkers," said New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald.

"Early detection saves lives, and removing financial barriers to follow-up lung cancer screenings ensures that more patients can get the critical care they need without delay.”

Image via the office of New York Governor Kathy Hochul.