HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 174 FILED ON: 1/8/2013
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1959
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
William C. Galvin
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An act relative to patient access to information regarding breast reconstructive surgery.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: | Date Added: |
William C. Galvin | 6th Norfolk | 1/8/2013 |
Brian A. Joyce | Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth | 1/16/2013 |
Louis L. Kafka | 8th Norfolk | 1/24/2013 |
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 174 FILED ON: 1/8/2013
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1959
By Mr. Galvin of Canton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1959) of William C. Galvin, Brian A. Joyce and Louis L. Kafka relative to patient information regarding reconstructive surgery. Public Health. |
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 3645 OF 2011-2012.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the Year Two Thousand Thirteen
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An act relative to patient access to information regarding breast reconstructive surgery.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
Section 70E of chapter 111 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2008 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following section:
Every facility that provides mastectomy surgery, lymph node dissection or a lumpectomy shall provide information to the patient concerning the option of reconstructive surgery following such procedures, including the availability of coverage for reconstructive surgery. The information shall be provided to the patient in writing and in advance of obtaining consent to the surgical procedure. The information provided shall include at least the following:
1.A description of the various reconstructive options and the advantages and disadvantages of each;
2.A description of the provisions assuring coverage by public and private insurance plans of the costs related to reconstructive surgery under Federal and State law;
3.A description of how a patient may access reconstructive care, including the potential of transferring care to a facility that provides reconstructive care or choosing to pursue reconstruction after completion if breast cancer surgery and chemo/radiotherapy if warranted.