Westbury middle school delegates urge insurers to cover ultrasounds during breast cancer screening
Loading...
Summary
Middle school student delegates presented a model bill asking New York insurers, including Medicaid and Medicare, to cover ultrasounds as part of routine breast cancer screening; students cited detection benefits and fiscal arguments and the chair declared the model bill ratified by the delegation.
Middle school delegates from Westbury Middle School presented a model bill to the Westbury Union Free School District Board of Education on July 27 seeking a requirement that health insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare, cover ultrasound imaging during routine breast cancer screenings.
The student sponsors — Valeria Correas and Emily Hakowu among others — told the board that their bill would ensure access to supplemental imaging for women with dense breast tissue and argued that ultrasounds increase early detection. “Ultrasounds can be incredibly important because they are highly accurate,” one sponsor said during the presentation. Delegates reported that during their Albany trip the student body debated 16 bills, of which students said 13 passed and three were denied.
During pro/con debate, several student delegates raised concerns about overdiagnosis, enforcement and funding oversight. Jeremiah Rodriguez argued that mammograms can detect cancers that would not cause harm and cautioned against unnecessary downstream tests and anxiety. Delegate Hakeem and Nila Boston offered pro comments, stating that removing deductibles and out-of-pocket costs would improve access and detect cancers earlier. Yolises Guevara Mejia urged stronger safeguards to ensure funds are used for breast-cancer screening rather than diverted elsewhere.
Sponsors also offered fiscal context: during closing remarks they cited corporate profitability figures as part of their argument that insurers could absorb added screening costs. The student chair then asked the audience to ratify the model bill by a show of hands; the chair declared the bill passed by the delegation.
Superintendent Doctor Chase and board members praised the students’ preparation and civic engagement. “You guys were phenomenal,” the superintendent told the delegates, noting the work required to produce the presentations. The board presented certificates and photographs to recognize the delegation’s participation in the New York State YMCA Youth and Government program.
The presentation was a student exercise in civic education; the board’s role was ceremonial for the model bill. The district does not have authority to enact state insurance coverage; the students’ work was an educational exercise and an advocacy demonstration. The board commended the students and recorded the delegation’s success in the meeting minutes.
