Advancing Women’s Health Coverage Act Aims to Modernize Reconstructive Care

On June 11, 2025, U.S. Representatives Kat Cammack (R-FL-03) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) announced the introduction of the Advancing Women’s Health Coverage Act. This bipartisan legislation seeks to update the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 (WHCRA) to ensure every breast cancer survivor has access to modern, comprehensive reconstructive care.

Empowering Patients and Closing Gaps

Rep. Cammack emphasized, “Women should be fighting cancer rather than insurance companies. Every woman battling breast cancer deserves access to the best care modern medicine can offer — not limits based on outdated insurance codes and bureaucratic red tape.” She highlighted the challenges many survivors face in accessing the necessary reconstructive options that not only improve their physical appearance but also contribute significantly to their emotional recovery.

Rep. Dingell added, “Every person diagnosed with breast cancer deserves access to the full range of options that support their recovery,” underscoring the importance of patient choice in treatment pathways.

Support from Medical Professionals

Support for the legislation comes from various medical professionals and organizations. C. Bob Basu, MD, President of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, noted, “These changes ensure no breast cancer patient is left behind when it comes to accessing the best possible reconstructive care.” Similarly, Babak Mehrara, MD, President of The Plastic Surgery Foundation, stated, “Modernization ensures breast cancer patients are fully supported with care from diagnosis through recovery.”

Molly Guthrie, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at Susan G. Komen, remarked, “For over 25 years, the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act has ensured patients have coverage for reconstructive surgery, but it is past time that our laws reflect the rights of patients to full, modern mastectomy and post-mastectomy care.”

Key Provisions of the Legislation

The Advancing Women’s Health Coverage Act includes several critical provisions:

• Expanded Coverage: Includes all recognized breast reconstruction options, including implant-based and advanced microsurgical techniques.
• Patient Protection: Guarantees coverage for all reconstruction procedures under the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS Level I).
• Empowerment: Provides insurance coverage for flat closure, symmetrical reconstruction, and custom prostheses.
• Access Improvement: Requires at least one in-network provider for every recognized reconstruction modality.
• Medical Autonomy: Prohibits insurance denials that override physician expertise, while allowing flexibility in rate negotiations.
• Accountability: Mandates a GAO study to assess ongoing gaps and disparities in reconstructive care.

Addressing a Pressing Need

With over 300,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer annually in the U.S., there is a clear demand for legislative action that reflects the advancements in medical practices surrounding reconstructive surgery. As the original WHCRA was enacted over 25 years ago, the Advancing Women’s Health Coverage Act serves as an essential update, ensuring that survivors can access the necessary medical support for a comprehensive recovery.

Co-Sponsors and Legislative Journey

The bill has garnered support from a variety of co-sponsors, including Representatives April McClain Delaney (D-MD-06), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA-03), Ashley Hinson (R-IA-02), and others. The legislation will be referred to multiple committees, including the Education and Workforce Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee, and Ways and Means Committee.

The introduction of this act marks a pivotal step towards updating healthcare policies to ensure that breast cancer survivors receive the comprehensive care they deserve.