Federal Advocacy
Updating the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) through the Advancing Women's Health Coverage Act (AWCRA)
ASPS is leading a nationwide effort to modernize breast reconstruction coverage through the Advancing Women's Health Coverage Act and new or stronger state coverage laws. This legislation will ensure that every patient can access the full range of reconstructive options after treatment for breast cancer – whether advanced microsurgical or implant-based – regardless of where they live or what type of insurance they have.
The federal framework established in 1998 by the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) set a critical baseline for breast reconstruction coverage after mastectomy. More than 25 years later, it fails to reflect how breast cancer care has evolved. Modern standards of care include reconstruction and restorative procedures after both mastectomy and lumpectomy, using either tissue or implants, as well as treatments for complications such as breast cancer-related lymphedema.
ASPS is leading the effort on the Advancing Women's Health Coverage Act (AWHCA), the bipartisan bill championed by Reps. Kat Cammack (R-FL), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Young Kim (R-CA), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), April McClain Delaney (D-MD) and others. The legislation would update federal requirements to cover the full spectrum of reconstructive and restorative options following breast cancer treatment. The bill is designed to promote equitable coverage for modern techniques, regardless of where a patient receives care.
Every patient deserves the right to choose the approach that best supports their health, recovery and quality of life – whether implant-based, autologous (microsurgical) or other evidence-based restorative techniques. The legislation ensures that insurers cannot narrow coverage, undervalue complex procedures or deny care that restores both form and function after cancer treatment.
ASPS is leading the modernization effort by:
- Developing and refining legislative language with clinical and legislative experts
- Working with bipartisan congressional champions and key committees
- Providing lawmakers with data and evidence on outcomes, access and cost-effectiveness
- Equipping members and patients with tools to share their stories and advocate effectively