Assemblyman Curran Takes on UnitedHealthcare's Bad Policy Regarding Breast Cancer Screening

Click here for an .mp4 file of Assemblyman Curran speaking on the issue

Today, New York State Assemblyman Brian Curran (Lynbrook-21st A.D.) sent letters to President Donald Trump, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and the CEO and President of UnitedHealthcare Stephen Hemsley to request their help in fighting a new policy introduced by UnitedHealthcare.

Effective January 1, 2017, UnitedHealthcare will no longer cover ultrasounds during routine breast cancer screenings for women with dense breast tissue. The company has deemed ultrasounds “unproven and not medically necessary” in early detection.

“For years it has been standard practice for women with dense breast tissue to receive both mammograms and sonograms during screenings as many issues can be missed if only a mammogram is done,” said Curran. “UnitedHealthcare has put the lives of millions of women in jeopardy nationwide by no longer covering this lifesaving, preventative procedure for those they service, and by setting a troubling precedent for other major insurance providers to follow. We must act swiftly to reverse this decision.”

Recent statistics from the Susan G. Komen Foundation estimated that in 2016 there would be 246,660 new cases of invasive breast cancer among U.S. women, and 40,450 deaths due to breast cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, a false-negative mammogram looks normal even though breast cancer is present and screening mammograms do not find 1 in 5 breast cancers. Women with dense breasts have an increased number of false-negative mammogram results.

“UnitedHealthcare is a major health insurance provider and it has now endangered the lives of millions of grandmothers, mothers, daughters, and wives by refusing to cover lifesaving, preventative breast cancer screenings,” Curran’s letter says. “This is setting a dangerous precedent. Women should not have their lives compromised due to a bureaucratic loophole. I am asking for your help in righting this wrong and saving the lives of millions of women.”

Assemblyman Curran is currently working on legislation to address this issue. He is also working to set up meetings with Sens. Gillibrand and Schumer and Rep. Kathleen Rice to start a collective effort that will protect the lives of those currently battling breast cancer, and the lives of those who remain undiagnosed.