Bill > H1230

This bill mandates comprehensive cancer screening benefits for full-time firefighters employed by the state, cities, towns, fire or water districts, and specific fire departments (including Massachusetts military reservation, 104th fighter wing, and Devens fire departments). Under this legislation, firefighters shall receive a cancer screening examination conducted by a physician every three years, beginning three years after initial employment. The screenings must cover at least 11 specific types of cancer: colon, lung, bladder, oral, thyroid, skin, blood, breast, cervical, testicular, and prostate. Critically, the bill requires that all costs for these examinations be fully covered by the firefighter's employer-provided health care benefits plan, with no co-payments, deductibles, coinsurance, or out-of-pocket expenses charged to the firefighter. This proposed legislation recognizes the heightened cancer risks faced by firefighters due to occupational exposure to hazardous materials and seeks to provide early detection and preventive healthcare as a professional benefit.

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https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1230