Gov. Cuomo sets excellent example with ‘Get Screened, No Excuses’ campaign

Earlier this summer, New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation to increase access to breast cancer screening throughout the state. The bill—which comes as part of Cuomo’s “Get Screened, No Excuses” campaign—offers four hours of paid leave to public employees for screening for breast cancer, eliminates deductibles and co-payments for all screening mammography, and more.

Sandra Lee, Cuomo’s girlfriend and a well-known celebrity chef, was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2015.  Fortunately, it was caught early and Lee is now cancer free, but her battle had a huge impact on the governor.

“When Sandy was diagnosed with breast cancer, she was lucky to have caught it early,” Cuomo said in a prepared statement. “But not all women are that lucky, and many are not fortunate enough to have the flexibility in their schedule or the resources to fight this disease head on. By expanding screening hours and removing insurance barriers, this agreement will give our wives, daughters and sisters better access to life-saving health services so they too can get ahead of this disease.”

Powerful words, right? And speaking as a husband, son, brother, and father, I appreciate Cuomo’s efforts to improve access to healthcare for the women of New York.

What impressed me most about Cuomo’s legislation is that breast cancer screening is truly personal for him. He isn’t just playing politics; Cuomo legitimately cares, and he is now using every last resource at his disposal to help as many people as he can. In today’s often harsh political climate, it’s refreshing to see the leader of a state improving the healthcare of his constituents and speaking about it with so much passion and conviction.

I hope Cuomo’s “Get Screened, No Excuses” campaign can have a positive influence on other states as well. One state out of fifty just isn’t enough. But, hey, at least it’s a start.