Includes image-guided biopsies under certain insurance coverage for breast cancer screening
This bill (S 6551) requires health insurance plans in New York to cover image-guided breast biopsies when recommended by a physician based on nationally recognized clinical guidelines. It directly affects patients seeking breast cancer screening and diagnosis, as well as insurance companies that must now include this specific procedure in mandatory coverage. The bill amends insurance law to explicitly add "image-guided breast biopsies" to the list of covered services alongside mammograms, ultrasounds, and MRI scans. Coverage applies only when the procedure aligns with evidence-based guidelines developed by independent medical organizations. The change takes effect January 1, 2026, for all new or renewed insurance policies.
Bill status
died
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2026
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
Assembly Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 17, 2025
Last action Jun 1, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
S6551
→
S6551A
·
3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to add four new co-sponsors and formally recommit it to the Insurance Committee for further review. The most significant substantive change is the effective date, which was moved from January 1, 2026, to January 1, 2027, likely to align with the implementation schedule of a related 2024 law.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding insurance coverage for breast cancer screening remains unchanged; the amendment primarily addresses procedural steps and the effective date.
TIMELINE
The effective date of the new insurance coverage requirements was changed from January 1, 2026, to January 1, 2027.
PROCEDURAL
Four additional senators (Cleare, Comrie, Jackson, and Rhoads) were added as co-sponsors to the bill.
The bill's status was updated to reflect that it was amended and recommitted to the Committee on Insurance for further action.
Floor votes · Senate Jun 10, 2025
How they voted
58–0
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 63
Jun 10, 2025
D
Democratic41
90% Yea
R
Republican22
95% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
16
Key actions
3
Committee
7
Amendments
2
May 28, 2026
Committee
COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES
upper
Mar 23, 2026
Committee
REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
upper
Jan 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 6551A
upper
Jan 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO INSURANCE
upper
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO INSURANCE
upper
Jun 10, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO INSURANCE
lower
Jun 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
PASSED SENATE
upper
Jun 10, 2025
Committee
COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES
upper
May 12, 2025
Committee
REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO INSURANCE
upper
1 primary · 6 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about S 6551
Scope: NY
Hi! I can help you understand S 6551. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline