Committee supports Sen. Bailey bill to expand access to preventive cancer screenings for firefighters and police officers
AUGUSTA – On Wednesday, April 9, the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee voted 6-5 (of those present and voting) in favor of a bill from Sen. Donna Bailey, D-Saco. LD 784, “An Act to Require Health Insurance Coverage for Specialized Risk Screenings for First Responders,” would expand access to preventive cancer screenings for first responders, including firefighters and police officers.
“We are all likely familiar with the occupational hazards of firefighters and police officers — burning buildings and high-speed car chases,” said Sen. Bailey. “But we are often less aware of the underlying toll that the stress of the job takes on first responders. With chronic, elevated stress and exposure to harmful chemicals, like the ones found in firefighting foam and PFAS-contaminated protective gear, these men and women have higher rates of heart attacks and cancers. Fortunately, we can help prevent these serious health conditions, but only if we test for them. This bill offers a new tool to help first responders receive preventive health risk screenings that can save their lives. At the same time, it will hopefully nudge health insurance companies toward providing coverage for these tests.”
As originally drafted, the bill would have ensured that medical professionals consider the unique risk factors associated with the profession when recommending and conducting preventive cancer and health screenings. It also would have required that insurance companies cover the costs of the screenings. During the work session, the Committee amended the bill, replacing the original.
As amended, the bill would establish a rebuttable presumption in a cause of action that a health insurance carrier failed to provide medically necessary care when denying a first responder coverage for a specialized health risk screening. It would not require health coverage for the screening, but it would shift the burden of proof from the first responder to the health insurance carrier in cases when the carrier denied coverage for a specialized preventive health risk screening. The first responder would have to appeal the denial, and, if the appeal failed, they would have the option to file a lawsuit against the carrier. These appeals and lawsuits are separate from the process for filing a claim with the Workers Compensation Board, which does not provide compensation for preventive health care. Those claims are only for workplace injuries.
During the public hearing, Sen. Bailey shared the story (originally reported by Norah Hogan for WMTW Channel 8 News) of Saco Fire Department Firefighter Lt. Sarai Briggs. She is a mother of three who, knowing the elevated health risks associated with firefighting, was forced to pay out of pocket for the cost of a preventive cancer screening. Even though she had no symptoms, the test detected thyroid cancer. Her decision enabled her doctors to catch the cancer early and she is fortunately now cancer free. The preventative screening likely saved her life.
In that story, WMTW reported that firefighters are regularly exposed to at least 13 chemicals, including arsenic, asbestos and sulfuric acid, which cause cancer. WMTW also cited data from the American Cancer Society, which found that firefighters have a 9% higher risk for cancer compared to the general population. That risk is even higher for certain types of cancer, like non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and prostate cancer.
In the coming weeks, LD 784 will be reported out of the Committee and to the full House and Senate chambers for votes.
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