Requires certain large group health insurance policies and contracts to cover scalp cooling systems for the preservation of hair during cancer chemotherapy treatment.

New York State Assembly Bill A00430, signed into law on February 14, 2025, mandates that certain large group health insurance policies cover the cost of scalp cooling systems. These systems help cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy preserve their hair, addressing a common side effect of treatment. The law applies to large group policies issued, renewed, modified, altered, or amended on or after January 1, 2026.

The legislation received strong bipartisan support, passing unanimously in both the Assembly (147-0) and the Senate (63-0). Advocates praised the law for enhancing cancer patients' quality of life by mitigating hair loss during chemotherapy, which can have significant emotional and psychological impacts.

While the bill passed without opposition, some stakeholders expressed concerns about potential increases in insurance premiums due to the expanded coverage. Additionally, there were questions about the effectiveness of scalp cooling systems for all patients and whether the mandate might divert resources from other critical areas of cancer care.