In rows of smaller boxes are prostheses for mastectomy patients; like the wigs, they are given at no charge.

He found that a year after the operation, 78 percent of the mastectomy patients felt badly about how they looked undressed.

In some cases, insurers have adopted guidelines urging doctors to discharge mastectomy patients without overnight stays, according to health care experts.

"No mastectomy patient should ever have to leave the hospital before she and her physician determine she is ready," Mr. Bruno said.

Hospital Coverage Extended As legislation loomed, officials of managed-care plans agreed to cover at least one night of hospitalization for mastectomy patients.

Rather, at issue are mastectomy patients who have one to three positive axillary, or underarm, lymph nodes.

Mr. Clinton is now pushing a bill to guarantee overnight hospital stays for mastectomy patients.

The same is true for some mastectomy patients, he said.

The usual recommendation is that a mastectomy patient wait for a month after surgery before going for a fitting, to give swelling time to subside.

Consider the Senator's recent visit to Albany to announce agreement on a state bill to allow mastectomy patients longer hospital stays.