HOUSE BILL 243

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Elizabeth "Liz" Thomson

AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH; REQUIRING HEALTH FACILITIES THAT PERFORM MAMMOGRAPHIES TO PROVIDE CERTAIN INFORMATION RELATING TO BREAST DENSITY TO PATIENTS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] MAMMOGRAPHIES--HEALTH FACILITIES--BREAST DENSITY DISCLOSURE.--

          A. A health facility that performs a mammography examination shall include in the summary of the mammography report that is required pursuant to federal law to be provided to a patient information that identifies the patient's individual breast density classification based on the breast imaging reporting and data system established by the American college of radiology. If the health facility determines that a patient has heterogeneously or extremely dense breast tissue, the summary of the mammography report shall include the following notice:

"Your mammogram indicates that you have dense breast tissue. Dense breast tissue is common and is found in more than fifty percent of women and is not abnormal. However, dense breast tissue may make it more difficult to detect breast cancer and may be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. This information is being provided to raise your awareness and to encourage you and your health care provider to discuss this and other breast cancer risk factors. Together, you and your health care provider can decide if additional screening options may be right for you. A report of your results was sent to your health care provider.".

          B. A health facility may direct a patient who receives a diagnostic or screening mammogram to information about breast density. This informative material may include the American college of radiology's most current brochure on the subject of breast density available on the American college of radiology's website. Patients and health care providers can be further informed by materials from educational and advocacy organizations related to cancer or mammography.

          C. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to create a duty of care or other legal obligation beyond the duty to provide notice as set forth in Subsection A of this section. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to require a notice that is inconsistent with the provisions of the federal Mammography Quality Standards Act or any regulations promulgated pursuant to that act.

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