Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) voted with his colleagues in the House of Representatives to approve H.R. 758, the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act.  The legislation, cosponsored by Congressman Higgins, aims to end the practice commonly known as “drive through mastectomies.”

            “Too often patients who have undergone major invasive procedures are forced by insurance companies to leave the hospital before they and their doctors feel they are ready,” said Congressman Higgins  “This legislation puts cancer treatment and prevention decisions back into the hands of those best able to make those judgments.”

            Under the bill patients are guaranteed a minimum hospital stay of 48 hours for mastectomy or lumpectomy and a 24 hour stay for those undergoing lymph node removal.  The legislation by no means mandates a 48 hour stay or sets 48 hours as the maximum stay. 

            In addition, the Act requires health plans to provide full coverage for patients seeking second opinions and distribute information telling patients about their rights related to hospital stays for these treatment