The bipartisan Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act, which would provide Medicare coverage of post-mastectomy custom breast prostheses, has been reintroduced in the US House of Representatives. The bill, H.R. 4779, was introduced by Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), and Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, (R-IA).
Medicare has considered custom breast prostheses as medically unnecessary so not eligible for coverage, even though it covers other post-mastectomy options and other custom prosthetic devices.
“The Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act takes away the burden of calculating the coverage for custom prosthetics and gives access to higher-quality implants for patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer that undergo a mastectomy, regardless of their income,” said Miller-Meeks.
“Breast cancer survivors who have undergone a mastectomy deserve to have a full range of affordable reconstructive options,” said Chu. “There are many reasons why breast cancer patients choose not to have reconstructive surgery, and Medicare should not be limiting reasonable options that allow women to feel comfortable after fighting cancer. I’m grateful to be able to work on this bipartisan bill, and I hope we can pass it quickly so cancer survivors can finally have complete freedom of choice.”
For more information and to take action, visit peopleforqualitycare.org/letherdecide.
