Woonsocket Radio News Room

House OKs bill to ensure up-to-date dense breast notifications following mammograms

 

STATE HOUSE – The House of Representatives today approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Rebecca Kislak to ensure that women with dense breast tissue receive the most up-to-date notification following their mammograms.

The legislation (2024-H 7734A) eliminates parts of the current notification law, which spells out exactly the language that must be included in every letter sent to women after a mammogram determines they have dense breast tissue, telling them they may benefit from supplemental screenings because dense tissue makes it harder to detect cancer.

The bill changes the notification requirement to say that the notification should instead use the language mandated by the Federal Drug Administration National Reporting Standard for breast density.

“It’s important that all people get the proper screenings to detect cancer. For that reason, women with dense breast tissue should receive one consistent message about getting further screenings. The federal notification requirement is regularly updated and is based on current medical best practices. Adopting it as Rhode Island’s standard ensures that women are receiving the most current advice about what to do following a finding of dense breast tissue during their mammogram,” said Representative Kislak (D-Dist. 4, Providence).

The current language requirement took effect in 2014, and was last updated in 2021. Directing providers to follow the federal standard instead of mandating specific language will eliminate the risk that Rhode Island’s notification requirements will become outdated, as well as the need for continual changes to the law. It will also prevent confusion for people who may cross state lines for testing, if Rhode Island’s requirements differ from those in surrounding states.

The bill now goes to the Senate, where Sen. Bridget Valverde (D-Dist. 35, North Kingstown, East Greenwich, South Kingstown) is sponsoring companion legislation (2024-S 2609).

 

UCLA Chancellor Gene Block has released a letter following the protests around campus in recent days. Block said in his campus message that the community is "reeling from days of violence and division" and that the hope is that "we can return to a place where our students, faculty and staff feel safe and, one day, connected again." Early this morning, Los Angeles police moved in to clear an encampment on UCLA's campus.        A bill to repeal Arizona's near-total ban on abortion is heading to the governor's desk. Two Republicans joined with all Democrats yesterday in voting to repeal the 1864 law that was upheld by the Arizona Supreme Court last month. It bans all abortions except in cases where it's necessary to save the mother's life.        Former President Trump will speak at the Libertarian Party's convention this month. His campaign confirmed Trump will speak in Washington, DC to "address concerns voiced by its members." Trump said in a statement that "Libertarians are some of the most independent and thoughtful thinkers in our Country."        The Unified Command has recovered the body of a fifth construction worker who had been missing since the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. The victim is identified as Miguel Angel Luna Gonzalez of Glen Burnie, Maryland. Salvage teams at the site of the March 26 collapse located one of the missing construction vehicles and notified authorities.        The national average for a gallon of regular gas is up slightly from yesterday. Triple A reports it's at three-dollars-and-67-cents a gallon. That's up two cents from a week ago and 14 cents more than a month ago.        One of the most exhilarating events of the sports calendar goes down on Saturday at Churchill Downs when the 150th Kentucky Derby commences. The Run for the Roses has a post time this year of 6:57 p.m. Eastern. According to CBS, Todd Pletcher-Trained Fierceness is the favorite at 5-to-2 odds.        

Old News Archives