Radiology Society of Connecticut Honors Senator Heather Somers

HARTFORD, Conn. – The Radiological Society of Connecticut has honored State Senator Heather Somers (R-Groton) for her advocacy for patients and important legislation that will encourage women to have life-saving breast cancer screenings.

The group gave Somers their “Patient Hero” award at their recent semi-annual meeting in New Haven.

Senator Somers was a strong supporter of Senate Bill 833, An Act Redefining Mammogram and Limiting Cost-Sharing for Mammograms, Breast Ultrasounds and Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Breasts. The bill updates the definition of mammography to include Tomosynthesis, a 3D version of the test that is finding small cancers at a higher rate. The bill would enable women to have their annual breast exam using Tomosynthesis without having to pay a deductible or co-pay.

“This legislation is critical for our ability to make sure that patients continue to have access to these needed mammography tests,” said Alan Kaye, president of the organization.  “We appreciate Sen. Somers’ leadership in many areas of health care policy.”

SB 833 would increase the insurance coverage of Breast Tomosynthesis which has been shown to reduce by 40 percent patient callbacks for an additional test due to the uncertainty of images.

Senator Somers serves as Senate Co-Chair of the Public Health Committee.

Somers and other legislators plan on pursuing the bill in the 2018 session.  The 2017 session ended in June with the bill pending in the State Senate.

The award presentation was made on October 18.