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Senate bill · S6551 (2025-26)

Includes image-guided biopsies under certain insurance coverage for breast cancer screening

PassedLatest action Jun 1, 2026

New York State Senate

Same as A6561, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Passed as A6561, the matching Assembly bill.

Sponsor

Jamaal Bailey

State Senator, District 36 · Democratic/Working Families

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Summary

Includes image-guided biopsies under mandatory insurance coverage for breast cancer screening.

Summary from NY Open Legislation. How we handle summaries

Amends the Insurance Law.

From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 22, 2026. About our data

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Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

This bill would require coverage for image-guided breast biopsies. Image-guided breast biopsies confirm the presence or absence of malig- nant tissue and are used to guide treatment if necessary. Patient out- of-pocket costs for image-guided breast biopsy can run in the thousands of dollars depending on site-of-service, making cost a barrier to access and timely diagnosis. Access to cancer screening and treatment should not be reliant upon a patient's ò ability to pay for these biopsies.

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

Where it stands

Passed the legislature and is awaiting a signature.

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

Committee

Insurance · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Insurance · New York State Senate.

Cosponsors

Alicia Hyndman, Angelo Santabarbara and 12 more on Agora

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)
  • Democratic13
  • Republican1

This bill has cosponsors from more than one party.

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

Show the full list (14 names)

The sponsor's argument

Why Jamaal Bailey says this is needed

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent and deadly forms of cancer. Every year, over 16,700 New Yorkers are diagnosed with breast cancer, and about 2,500 die from the disease. It is estimated that one in eight women will develop breast cancer during her life. Breast cancer is also one of the most treatable cancers if caught early. There has been a more than 40% reduction in mortality from breast cancer since the United States initiated widespread screening mammography in the late 1980s. It is essential to find breast cancer early, at its most curable stages, and be able to act on these findings. Image-guided biop- sies are crucial in discovering and identifying treatment paths forward. Breast cancer disproportionately affects people of color, imposing a heavier burden on communities already facing systemic health dispari- ties. African American and Hispanic women are more likely to be diag- nosed with aggressive forms of breast cancer at later stages, leading to poorer outcomes compared to their white counterparts. Factors such as limited access to healthcare, lower rates of screening and early detection, socioeconomic inequalities, and cultural barriers contribute to this disparity. Moreover, once diagnosed, people of color often face additional challenges in accessing high-quality treatment and support services. Addressing these disparities requires targeted efforts to improve healthcare access, raise awareness, and provide culturally competent care to ensure equitable outcomes for all individuals affected by breast cancer. By expanding coverage for image-guided breast biopsy, this bill will ensure that individuals from all backgrounds have access to the lifesav- ing screenings and procedures they need. This bill will not only save lives but also reduce health disparities and promote health equity in our state.

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: Floor vote

    NY SenateJun 1, 2026Result: passedSenate vote on A6561, the matching Assembly bill.

    (60) (0) (0) (3)

  • Vote: Committee vote · Rules

    Senate RulesMay 28, 2026Result: passed

    (21) (0) (0) (0)

  • Vote: Committee vote · Insurance

    Senate InsuranceMar 23, 2026Result: passed

    (11) (0) (0) (0)

  • Vote: Floor vote

    NY SenateJun 10, 2025Result: passed

    (58) (0) (0) (5)

  • Vote: Committee vote · Rules

    Senate RulesJun 10, 2025Result: passed

    (19) (0) (0) (2)

  • Vote: Committee vote · Insurance

    Senate InsuranceMay 12, 2025Result: passed

    (11) (0) (0) (0)

Full history

  1. Jun 1, 2026

    3RD Reading CAL.1362

    3RD READING CAL.1362

    NY Senate

  2. Jun 1, 2026

    Passed a chamber

    PASSED SENATE

    NY Senate

  3. Jun 1, 2026

    Substituted

    SUBSTITUTED FOR S6551A

    NY Senate

  4. May 28, 2026

    In committee

    COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES

    NY Senate

  5. May 28, 2026

    Ordered to Third Reading CAL.1362

    ORDERED TO THIRD READING CAL.1362

    NY Senate

Show full history (20 earlier events)
  1. May 6, 2026

    Sent to the executive

    DELIVERED TO SENATE

    NY Assembly

  2. May 6, 2026

    Passed a chamber

    PASSED ASSEMBLY

    NY Assembly

  3. May 6, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO INSURANCE

    NY Senate

  4. Mar 23, 2026

    Reported out of committee

    REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE

    NY Senate

  5. Jan 13, 2026

    Amend and Recommit to Insurance

    AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO INSURANCE

    NY Senate

  6. Jan 12, 2026

    Amended

    AMENDED ON THIRD READING 6561B

    NY Assembly

  7. Jan 7, 2026

    Ordered to Third Reading CAL.165

    ORDERED TO THIRD READING CAL.165

    NY Assembly

  8. Jan 7, 2026

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO INSURANCE

    NY Senate

  9. Jun 10, 2025

    In committee

    COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES

    NY Senate

  10. Jun 10, 2025

    Sent to the executive

    DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY

    NY Senate

  11. Jun 10, 2025

    Ordered to Third Reading CAL.1761

    ORDERED TO THIRD READING CAL.1761

    NY Senate

  12. Jun 10, 2025

    Passed a chamber

    PASSED SENATE

    NY Senate

  13. Jun 10, 2025

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO INSURANCE

    NY Assembly

  14. May 29, 2025

    Reported out of committee

    REPORTED

    NY Assembly

  15. May 29, 2025

    Rules Report CAL.328

    RULES REPORT CAL.328

    NY Assembly

  16. May 20, 2025

    Reported out of committee

    REPORTED REFERRED TO RULES

    NY Assembly

  17. May 12, 2025

    Reported out of committee

    REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE

    NY Senate

  18. Mar 17, 2025

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO INSURANCE

    NY Senate

  19. Mar 12, 2025

    Amend (t) and Recommit to Insurance

    AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO INSURANCE

    NY Assembly

  20. Mar 6, 2025

    Referred to committee

    REFERRED TO INSURANCE

    NY Assembly