(a)The General Assembly makes the following findings:
(1)Annually, about 207,090 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed, according to the American Cancer Society.
(2)Breast cancer has a disproportionate and detrimental impact on African-American women and is the most common cancer among Hispanic and Latina women.
(3)African-American women under the age of 40 have a greater incidence of breast cancer than Caucasian women of the same age.
(4)Individuals undergoing surgery for breast cancer should give due consideration to the option of breast reconstructive surgery, either at the same time as the breast cancer surgery or at a later date.
(5)According to the American Cancer Society, immediate breast reconstruction offers the advantage of combining the breast cancer surgery with the re
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(a) The General Assembly makes the following findings: (1) Annually, about 207,090 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed, according to the American Cancer Society. (2) Breast cancer has a disproportionate and detrimental impact on African-American women and is the most common cancer among Hispanic and Latina women. (3) African-American women under the age of 40 have a greater incidence of breast cancer than Caucasian women of the same age. (4) Individuals undergoing surgery for breast cancer should give due consideration to the option of breast reconstructive surgery, either at the same time as the breast cancer surgery or at a later date. (5) According to the American Cancer Society, immediate breast reconstruction offers the advantage of combining the breast cancer surgery with the reconstructive surgery and is cost effective. (6) According to the American Cancer Society, delayed breast reconstruction may be advantageous in women who require post-surgical radiation or other treatments. (7) A woman suffering from the loss of her breast may not be a candidate for surgical breast reconstruction or may choose not to undergo additional surgery and instead choose breast prostheses. (8) The federal Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 requires health plans that offer breast cancer coverage to also provide for breast reconstruction. (9) Required coverage for breast reconstruction includes all the necessary stages of reconstruction. Surgery of the opposite breast for symmetry may be required. Breast prostheses may be necessary. Other sequelae of breast cancer treatment, such as lymphedema, must be covered. (10) Several states have enacted laws to require that women receive information on their breast cancer treatment and reconstruction options. (b) In this Section: "Hispanic" has the same meaning as in Section 1707 of the federal Public Health Service Act. "Racial and ethnic minority group" has the same meaning as in Section 1707 of the federal Public Health Services Act. (c) The Director shall provide for the planning and implementation of an education campaign to inform breast cancer patients, especially those in racial and ethnic minority groups, anticipating surgery regarding the availability and coverage of breast reconstruction, prostheses, and other options. The campaign shall include the dissemination, at a minimum, on relevant State health Internet websites, including the Department of Public Health's Internet website, of the following information: (1) Breast reconstruction is possible at the time of breast cancer surgery or in a delayed fashion. (2) Prostheses or breast forms may be available. (3) Federal law mandates both public and private health plans to include coverage of breast reconstruction and prostheses. (4) The patient has a right to choose the provider of reconstructive care, including the potential transfer of care to a surgeon that provides breast reconstructive care. (5) The patient may opt to undergo breast reconstruction in a delayed fashion for personal reasons or after completion of all other breast cancer treatments. The campaign may include dissemination of such other information, whether developed by the Director or by other entities, as the Director determines relevant. The campaign shall not specify, or be designed to serve as a tool to limit, the health care providers available to patients. (d) In developing the information to be disseminated under this Section, the Director shall consult with appropriate medical societies and patient advocates related to breast cancer, patient advocates representing racial and ethnic minority groups, with a special emphasis on African-American and Hispanic populations' breast reconstructive surgery, and breast prostheses and breast forms. (e) Beginning no later than January 1, 2016 (2 years after the effective date of Public Act 98-479) and continuing each second year thereafter, the Director shall submit to the General Assembly a report describing the activities carried out under this Section during the preceding 2 fiscal years, including evaluating the extent to which the activities have been effective in improving the health of racial and ethnic minority groups.