New Session, New Resolve: Lawmaker Reintroduces “Michelle’s Law” to Ensure No One Is Denied a Life-Saving Mammogram

Trenton NJ — As a new legislative session begins in New Jersey, Assemblyman Antwan L. McClellan is renewing his commitment to pass Michelles Law and ensure that no one is ever denied access to a potentially life saving mammogram because of age or insurance limitations.

Michelles Law would require health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover the cost of a mammogram and any necessary follow up breast imaging whenever a health care provider recommends it. The bill removes barriers that can delay early detection and puts medical decisions back where they belong in the hands of doctors and patients.

The legislation is named in memory of Michelle DeVita a thirty eight year old woman who tragically lost her life to breast cancer after her insurance was not required to cover a mammogram under current law.

“No family should ever have to wonder whether earlier access to care could have changed everything” said Assemblyman McClellan. “Michelles Law is about compassion common sense and making sure insurance rules never stand between a patient and the care their doctor knows they need.”

Current law generally requires insurance coverage for mammograms beginning at age forty or for younger individuals only if they meet narrowly defined risk factors. Michelles Law closes that gap by ensuring coverage whenever a health care provider determines screening or additional diagnostic testing is medically appropriate regardless of age.

Advocates for breast cancer awareness and early detection have long emphasized that timely screening saves lives. Delays caused by coverage denials can have devastating consequences for individuals and families.

“As lawmakers we have a responsibility to learn from these stories and act” McClellan said. “This new session is a fresh start and it is time to get this done. Michelles story should lead to real change.”

Assemblyman McClellan said he is hopeful that with renewed focus and bipartisan understanding Michelles Law will finally move forward and become law ensuring that no one else is left behind when it comes to early detection and preventive care.

“Michelle mattered” McClellan said. “And so does every person who might be helped by this bill.”