I am woman, hear me roar! Helen Reddy said it best, “I am strong, I am invincible, I am woman” and as we end March, or Women’s History Month, these lyrics ring true a little bit more than usual. Let’s remember that so much of the progress women have fought for and gained has started right here in New York State. The Seneca Falls Convention was the first women’s rights convention and occurred here in New York. New York State granted women the right to vote in 1917 which was 3 years before the ratification of the 19th Amendment - and made New York the first State on the East Coast to extend that right to women. And let’s remember that leaders like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony were New Yorkers who embodied New York values. Women’s history is part of New York’s history, and over the past few years it has been an honor to serve as our community's Assemblywoman and continue to enact change for women throughout our State. And I’m proud to say I’ve taken that fight for change to the next level as I went down to Washington D.C. to advocate for nation-wide legislation for aesthetic flat closure, which started right here in New York State!

As many of you may remember, in 2022 I passed, and Governor Hochul signed, A.8537 into law which made New York the FIRST State in the country to mandate that health insurance companies provide full coverage for any post-mastectomy surgery. This law expanded the right for women to pursue either breast reconstructive surgery, or to have aesthetic flat closure. Because of this change in law a woman can now have autonomy over her chest! The choice is hers. As women in New York can thrive, it is time to make sure women throughout our country can too. That’s why I partnered with an AMAZING group of women who are advocating to duplicate the success we had in New York on the national level. After all, as former United Kingdom Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher said, “if you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.”

So I packed my bags and went down to our nation's capital. It was beautiful and an honor to walk through the halls of Congress. Personally, I think the halls of the State Assembly in Albany are just as nice, but I digress. Our baked-in schedule was set and we met with Congress members to explain the impact this bill will have on women. It was an absolute privilege to be with two breast cancer survivors, who have had aesthetic flat closure, as they brought a real face to the issue. I cannot begin to thank Jo Ann and Kim for their strength and determination. It was through their perseverance that we met with leaders to demonstrate how current insurance laws don’t provide women this benefit outside New York. Is that fair? ABSOLUTELY NOT! While in New York a woman can have autonomy over her chest, in New Jersey, Texas, California, North Carolina or Florida they don’t. For those that don’t know, when a woman gets a mastectomy she is often left with flaps of skin that can be used for reconstructive surgery. However, if a woman chooses aesthetic flat closure she will need an additional surgery to remove that skin - something that is not covered by insurance and is a huge out-of-pocket expense (unless you’re in New York). That needs to change, and I believe we were successful in making the case for why H.R. 5813 must pass. It is our responsibility as legislators, at all levels, to uplift and help people. I am proud to have succeeded in that mission on the State level; and now to our federal electeds, I say it is time to do the same with this bill. Let’s get this done!

While I believe women should be celebrated every month, the month of March is a special time dedicated to us! To all the women in our community, happy Women’s History Month. The world is better because of you!

As always, should you need any assistance please contact my office by phone at 718-945-9550 or by email at amatos@nyassembly.gov.