PRINTER'S NO. 1698
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1492
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY MERSKI, HARKINS, GALLAGHER, KAZEEM, SANCHEZ,
MADDEN, PIELLI, PROBST, SCHLOSSBERG, McNEILL, N. NELSON,
KULIK, BOROWSKI, DELLOSO, KINSEY, SCOTT, BRENNAN,
D. WILLIAMS, OTTEN, DONAHUE, SHUSTERMAN, HANBIDGE, ROZZI,
STEELE, HOWARD, HADDOCK, GERGELY, O'MARA AND GREEN,
JUNE 22, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS, JUNE 22, 2023
AN ACT
Amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous provisions relating
to emergency management services, providing for firefighter
cancer screenings.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 35 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
§ 7715. Firefighter cancer screenings.
(a) Findings and declarations.--The General Assembly finds
and declares as follows:
(1) Firefighter occupational cancer is the leading cause
of line-of-duty deaths in the fire service.
(2) Early detection of cancer can substantially improve
chances of survival and ultimately reduce long-term costs
associated with cancer treatments.
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(b) Establishment.--Subject to subsection (d), an employer-
sponsored health insurance policy offered, issued or renewed in
this Commonwealth shall provide coverage for a cancer screening
examination of a firefighter, as described under subsection (c),
not less than three years after the start of the firefighter's
enrollment in the employer-sponsored health insurance policy and
every three years thereafter during the course of the
firefighter's employment.
(c) Examination.--Each cancer screening examination shall:
(1) Be administered by a licensed practitioner.
(2) Include a multi-cancer early detection test.
(3) Include screening for, at a minimum and if
applicable, the following cancers:
(i) Bladder.
(ii) Blood.
(iii) Breast.
(iv) Colon.
(v) Cervical.
(vi) Esophageal.
(vii) Gallbladder.
(viii) Kidney.
(ix) Liver.
(x) Lung.
(xi) Lymphatic system.
(xii) Oral.
(xiii) Ovarian.
(xiv) Prostate.
(xv) Skin.
(xvi) Testicular.
(xvii) Thyroid.
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(xviii) Urinary.
(d) Costs.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
costs associated with the cancer screening examination under
subsections (b) and (c) shall be covered by the employer-
sponsored health insurance policy. The minimum coverage required
shall include costs associated with the cancer screening
examination and no copayment, deductible, coinsurance or out-of-
pocket expense for the costs may be charged to a firefighter.
(e) Definitions.--The following words and phrases when used
in this section shall have the meanings given to them in this
subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Employer-sponsored health insurance policy." A health
insurance policy sponsored by any of the following that covers a
firefighter employed as a full-time paid employee specifically
for the purpose of responding to fires and other emergencies:
(1) the Commonwealth;
(2) a fire company located in this Commonwealth; or
(3) a political subdivision of this Commonwealth.
"Health insurance policy." A policy, subscriber contract,
certificate or plan issued by a health insurer, on or after the
effective date of this section, that provides medical or health
care coverage. The term does not include any of the following:
(1) An accident only policy.
(2) A credit only policy.
(3) A long-term care policy.
(4) A disability income policy.
(5) A specified disease policy.
(6) A Medicare Supplement policy.
(7) A fixed indemnity policy.
(8) A dental only policy.
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(9) A vision only policy.
(10) A workers' compensation policy.
(11) An automobile medical payment policy.
(12) A policy under which benefits are provided by the
Federal Government to active or former military personnel and
their dependents.
(13) A hospital indemnity policy.
(14) Any other policy providing for limited benefits.
"Health insurer." An entity that offers, issues or renews a
health insurance policy that provides medical or health care
coverage by a health care facility or licensed health care
provider and that is governed under any of the following:
(1) The act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), known as
The Insurance Company Law of 1921, including section 630 and
Article XXIV of that act.
(2) The act of December 29, 1972 (P.L.1701, No.364),
known as the Health Maintenance Organization Act.
(3) 40 Pa.C.S. Ch. 61 (relating to hospital plan
corporations).
(4) 40 Pa.C.S. Ch. 63 (relating to professional health
services plan corporations).
"Licensed practitioner." A medical doctor, certified nurse
practitioner or physician assistant licensed to practice in this
Commonwealth whose scope of practice includes evaluation,
assessment and diagnostic privileges as outlined by the scope of
practice of the profession.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 90 days.
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