Miller, Sewell Introduce Bill to Make Mastectomy Bras and Silicone Prosthetics More Affordable for Breast Cancer Survivors

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswomen Carol Miller (R-WV) and Terri Sewell (D-AL) introduced legislation to amend the United States tariff schedule to establish new tariff classifications for silicone breast prosthetics and mastectomy bras. The bill will make these important medical products more accessible and affordable for women who have undergone breast cancer treatment.

An estimated 4.3 million women in the United States are living with a history of breast cancer, reflecting the growing number of women who are surviving their diagnosis and living long lives after treatment. For many breast cancer survivors, the physical effects of a mastectomy can continue long after treatment ends. Mastectomy bras and silicone prosthetics can play an important role in helping women feel comfortable and confident in their appearance, restore a sense of normalcy, and move forward after one of the most difficult experiences of their lives.

"Surviving breast cancer is an incredible victory, but for far too many women, the challenges do not end when treatment does. After undergoing a mastectomy, women deserve access to products that can help them feel comfortable and confident without facing unnecessary costs. This bill is about making sure breast cancer survivors have greater access to silicone prosthetics and mastectomy bras by removing unnecessary barriers that can drive up the cost of these essential products. Every woman who has fought breast cancer deserves the opportunity to feel whole again and move forward with strength and self-assurance," said Congresswoman Miller.

"Breast cancer patients and survivors deserve to have access to affordable mastectomy bras that are exempt from costly tariffs. I am proud to support this legislation which will more accurately designate mastectomy bras as medical products. I would like to thank my colleague Representative Miller for leading this effort, and I look forward to continue working with her to reduce costs for cancer survivors," said Congresswoman Sewell.

A copy of the bill text can be found here.

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