MA Senate Approves No-Cost Cancer Screenings For Firefighters

North Shore legislators hailed a bill that allows Massachusetts firefighters to move a step closer to getting no-cost cancer screenings after the state Senate approved legislation that would require coverage for eligible full-time firefighters every three years during their employment.

The bill follows its initial passage in the House of Representatives on July 31 and would bar co-pays, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket costs for those screenings.

The legislation would apply to full-time, paid firefighters employed by the state, local municipalities, fire and water districts, and members of fire departments on certain military bases.

Through health insurance provided by their public employer, firefighters would have access to comprehensive screenings for a wide range of cancers, including colon, lung, bladder, oral, thyroid, skin, blood, breast, cervical, testicular, and prostate.

"Our firefighters risk their lives every day to protect us, often facing toxic chemical exposures that significantly increase their risk of cancer," State Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) said. "With regular and comprehensive cancer screenings, early detection and diagnosis can lead to better treatment outcomes and ultimately save lives.:

State Rep. Jenny Armini (D-Marblehead) said early detection is key to improving treatment.

"Line-of-duty illnesses are not always preventable, but they can be treatable with early detection. No-cost cancer screenings will help improve the odds," Armini said. "Protecting our firefighters means looking out for them long after the smoke has cleared, and the bill passed by the House — and now the Senate — does that."

According to the International Association of Fire Fighters, occupational cancer is the most common cause of line-of-duty deaths for firefighters. Firefighters are exposed in the course of their work to carcinogens including gases, PFAS, diesel fumes, asbestos, and radiation.

It also states that the International Agency for Research on Cancer has determined that "occupational exposure as a firefighter is carcinogenic to humans."

Rich MacKinnon Jr., president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, called the Senate vote a major step and said the group is looking ahead to the next stage.

"We look forward to Governor (Maura) Healey signing this important legislation into law," MacKinnon said.