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Senate bill · S3559 (2025-26)

Allows a notice of dense breast tissue to be determination of medical necessity for coverage of a breast ultrasound

New York State Senate

Same as A580, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Latest action Jun 5, 2026

Sponsor: Cordell Cleare (State Senator, District 30, Democratic)

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From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 29, 2026. About our data

Summary

Allows a notice of dense breast tissue to be considered a determination of medical necessity for purposes of coverage of breast ultrasounds as recommended by a provider of mammography services.

Summary from NY Open Legislation. How we handle summaries

Amends the Public Health Law.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

To provide that where a patient has received notice that their mammogram shows that the patient has dense breast tissue, such notice shall be considered a determination of medical necessity for purposes of coverage of breast ultrasounds.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Where it stands

Out of committee and scheduled for a vote by the full chamber.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Up for a vote
  4. Passed one chamber
  5. Passed
  6. Enacted

Committee

Health · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Health · New York State Senate, Insurance · New York State Assembly, Insurance · New York State Senate.

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Cosponsors

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab)
  • Democratic6
  • Republican4

This bill has cosponsors from more than one party.

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

The sponsor's argument

Why Cordell Cleare says this is needed

Current New York State Law requires insurance companies to cover the cost of mammograms. In addition, providers must give notice to a patient when a mammogram shows that the patient has dense breast tissue. Having dense breasts can make it more difficult to detect certain forms of breast cancer, particularly some of the more aggressive forms, through a mammogram alone. It also puts women at about a twofold risk for develop- ing cancer as compared to those who do not have dense breasts. Conduct- ing an ultrasound along with a regular mammogram is essential to improv- ing cancer detection for women with dense breasts. Ultrasounds for dense breasts are only covered by insurers if they are found to be a medical necessity. This legislation amends the Public Health Law to provide that the notice given by a provider to a patient that the patient has dense breasts shall be considered a determination of medical necessity for purposes of coverage of ultrasounds. Early detection is key to preventing women from developing aggressive forms of breast cancer and improving survival rates. This legislation will prevent the unnecessary delay and stress imposed when an insurance company denies coverage for this critical service. PRIOR LEGISLATIVE

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Recorded votes

  • Vote: Committee vote · Health

    Senate HealthApr 21, 2026Result: passed

    (15) (0) (0) (0)

  • Vote: Committee vote · Health

    Senate HealthApr 8, 2025Result: passed

    (14) (0) (0) (1)

Full history

  1. Jun 5, 2026

    In committee

    COMMITTED TO RULES

    NY Senate

  2. Apr 27, 2026

    Advanced to Third Reading

    ADVANCED TO THIRD READING

    NY Senate

  3. Apr 22, 2026

    2ND Report CAL.

    2ND REPORT CAL.

    NY Senate

  4. Apr 21, 2026

    1ST Report CAL.807

    1ST REPORT CAL.807

    NY Senate

  5. Jan 7, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO HEALTH

    NY Senate

Show full history (4 earlier events)
  1. Jan 7, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO INSURANCE

    NY Assembly

  2. Apr 8, 2025

    Reported out of committee

    REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO INSURANCE

    NY Senate

  3. Jan 28, 2025

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO HEALTH

    NY Senate

  4. Jan 8, 2025

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO INSURANCE

    NY Assembly

Read the record