New York will become the first state in the United States to mandate private insurance coverage for scalp cooling therapy starting in 2026. This groundbreaking legislation aims to assist chemotherapy patients in preserving their hair during treatment, which can often lead to significant emotional distress. The new law represents a significant shift in how breast cancer patients approach the financial and psychological burdens of treatment.
Maureen Green, a finance professional and mother of two, experienced this firsthand when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. During her treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, she opted for scalp cooling, a method designed to help retain hair during chemotherapy. “I was really afraid I would look in the mirror and really not know who I was and that I wouldn’t recognize myself,” Green recalled. The therapy, while beneficial for many, comes with a hefty price tag, ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 per patient, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Despite the financial pressures accompanying her diagnosis, Green and her family deemed the cost worthwhile. “You could buy a wig or scarves, but nothing is the same as looking like yourself,” she stated at a Breast Cancer Awareness Month event. Such expenses often force patients to make difficult decisions, with some foregoing scalp cooling entirely or opting for less effective alternatives.
Legislative Impact on Cancer Care
The introduction of this new law marks a pivotal moment in cancer care. Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, a Democrat representing Manhattan’s West Side, was instrumental in advocating for the bill. “I heard about scalp cooling, and I said, ‘Well, why shouldn’t everyone have access to it?'” she articulated during the event. Rosenthal acknowledged the challenges of persuading insurers to cover new treatments but expressed her commitment to improving the lives of cancer patients.
Alongside Senator Toby Ann Stavisky of Queens, Rosenthal emphasized the importance of this legislation. “To make life easier for cancer patients is worth everything, because they have so much to go through,” she noted. The law is expected to alleviate the financial strain on many families, allowing patients to focus on their health without the added worry of losing their hair.
At the same event, Andrea Smith, a nurse leader within Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Breast Service program, highlighted the transformative nature of the legislation. “Having legislation that requires insurance to pay for it, that’s a game changer. That will change patients’ lives, their families’ lives,” she asserted. Although scalp cooling can lead to temporary side effects such as headaches and anxiety, many patients find the prospect of maintaining their hair invaluable.
Understanding Scalp Cooling Therapy
Scalp cooling therapy works by lowering the temperature of the scalp before and during chemotherapy, which reduces blood flow to hair follicles. This process minimizes the amount of chemotherapy that reaches the follicles and slows down their activity, making them less susceptible to the damaging effects of the drugs. While the FDA has approved several scalp cooling devices, research indicates that success rates can reach as high as 65% in reducing hair loss.
For many patients, the psychological benefits of retaining their hair during treatment cannot be overstated. Smith noted that some individuals have chosen less optimal treatment options solely to avoid hair loss. “With everything else that’s going on, this gave me some control over something I didn’t have control over before,” Green reflected on her experience with scalp cooling.
As the implementation date for this law approaches, New York sets a precedent that could influence other states to consider similar legislation. The hope is that more patients will have access to scalp cooling therapies, enabling them to maintain their sense of identity during one of the most challenging periods of their lives.
