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Supporters tell committee bill would improve access to autologous breast reconstruction after mastectomy
Summary
Senate Bill 1137 would require health plans that cover implant‑based breast reconstruction to cover autologous (patient‑tissue) reconstruction with no less favorable terms, proponents said, citing cases in which patients faced heavy out‑of‑pocket costs or network limits to get the surgery they needed.
Acting Chair Reynolds opened public testimony on Senate Bill 1137, which would require health benefit plans that cover implant‑based breast reconstruction to cover autologous reconstruction procedures under equivalent terms and utilization review.
Why it matters: Patients and surgeons told the committee that insurer network limits and utilization rules can block access to autologous reconstruction (reconstruction using a patient’s own tissue), forcing some patients to pay large out‑of‑pocket sums or accept implant‑based procedures they view as medically or personally inferior.
Representative…
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