The Senate, on Friday, May 3, gave the green light to SF4699, a comprehensive Health and Human Services supplementary budget bill. This measure aims to extend health insurance coverage for Minnesotans while fortifying a more inclusive and readily available mental health framework. Among its components lies a provision championed by Senator Kari Dziedzic (DFL-Minneapolis) mandating insurance firms to foot the bill for wigs tailored for cancer-induced hair loss.
The said provision mandates insurance policies to encompass expenses linked to wigs and accompanying accessories across both public and private plans. Presently, Minnesota mandates wig coverage solely for individuals grappling with alopecia, overlooking those undergoing hair loss due to cancer. Senator Dziedzic, who revealed her ongoing battle with cancer in February, underscored the importance of this initiative.
“Over 37,000 Minnesotans will confront cancer this year, and while not all will experience hair loss, a significant number will,” emphasized Senator Dziedzic. “We understand that enduring chemotherapy or radiation-induced hair loss can severely impact patients’ quality of life. The psychological toll spans from dwindling self-esteem to social withdrawal and depression, coupled with the financial and temporal strains of camouflaging hair loss. I extend my gratitude to Senator Melissa Wiklund for her instrumental contributions to the Health and Human Services bill and for incorporating this provision to extend this coverage to Minnesotans navigating the challenges of cancer.”
“Throughout my tenure, I’ve absorbed insights from Minnesotans about systems, including healthcare frameworks, that either exclude them or erect unwarranted barriers,” added Senator Dziedzic. “This marks a stride towards dismantling such barriers and rendering wigs more accessible to Minnesotans grappling with cancer.”
The Omnibus Health and Human Services supplementary budget bill has cleared the Senate Floor and anticipates approval from the House.
