Woonsocket Radio News Room

New law to provide coverage for uterine fibroid treatment

 

 

Rep. Camille F.J. Vella-Wikinson, left, and Sen. Sandra Cano, right, hold their bills signed by Gov. Daniel McKee, seated. Standing behind them is Dr. Theresa Caridi, division director of vascular and interventional radiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a specialist in the treatment of uterine fibroids.

 

STATE HOUSE — A new law sponsored by Rep. Camille F.J. Vella-Wilkinson and Sen. Sandra Cano will provide for health coverage of uterine fibroid treatments.

The bill (2022-H 7561, 2022-S 3035), which Gov. Daniel McKee recently signed into law after its passage by the General Assembly June 24, will provide health care coverage for laparoscopic removal of uterine fibroids, including intraoperative ultrasound guidance and monitoring and radiofrequency ablation.

Uterine fibroids are a noncancerous growth that appear in the uterus usually during childbearing years. Treatment options include hysterectomy, embolization (radiation) and hormone therapy. 

“In Rhode Island, a hysterectomy costs $5,000 to $13,700 and is covered by insurance,” said Representative Vella-Wilkinson (D-Dist. 21, Warwick).  “But a hysterectomy is extremely invasive, painful and although patients are generally released after two to three days, full recovery is typically six to eight weeks. At least 39 states, including Massachusetts, cover a less invasive and less expensive procedure, laparoscopic hysterectomy, to remove fibroids. I would like to see Rhode Island women covered for this as well.”

Said Senator Cano (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket), “Women in Rhode Island deserve high-quality health care, and they deserve the benefit of the latest medical technology that improves their safety, comfort and recovery. This legislation will ensure that they have access to a better procedure that will improve their health and their lives.”

The Israeli military has launched a retaliatory strike against Iran. U.S. officials confirm missiles have struck a number of locations inside Iran, with no word yet on whether there were any casualties. This all comes after Israel vowed to respond to Iran's missile and drone attack earlier this week.        Donald Trump is set to appear in court today after 12 jurors were selected for his hush money criminal trial in New York City. The judge in the case announced Thursday, "We have our jury." Now six alternates must be selected       The FAA is investigating after a Southwest flight and a JetBlue plane nearly collided at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport outside Washington, DC. It happened Thursday morning when a plane crossed the runway as another was starting its take off.        Taylor Swift's new album has finally dropped. The first single off the "The Tortured Poets Department" is called "Fortnight," featuring Post Malone. The album is getting praise from critics, who are calling it "wildly unguarded," a "cathartic confession" and "unapologetically dramatic."        Less than one in ten young Americans think the United States is headed in the right direction. That's according to a new poll from Harvard Kennedy School's Institute of Politics. It says that just nine-percent of voters between 18-and-29 say the nation is generally going in the right direction. Meanwhile, 58-percent of respondents said the country is going the wrong way.        Prince William is returning to public duties for the first time since his wife's cancer diagnosis. William has been absent from official engagements ever since Kate Middleton revealed last month that she was undergoing chemotherapy for an unspecified type of cancer.        

Old News Archives