Iowa Senate passes bill to expand cancer coverage for first responders
Senate lawmakers passed a bill Wednesday morning to expand cancer coverage for first responders in Iowa.
Right now, state law only covers 14 types of cancers. expands the definition to include coverage for all other cancers.
Previously, if a diagnosis wasn't covered, that firefighter wouldn't get disability coverage.
Advocates for the change say this would make sure that police officers and firefighters aren't left scrambling to get their shifts covered while also undergoing cancer treatment.
Kelli Stoaks, who lost her husband Brian to pancreatic cancer in 2023, has been fighting for the legislation for years.
In Iowa, pancreatic cancer is not a presumed cancer — one of the 14 it's presumed firefighters would have gotten on the job. That meant Brian Stoaks did not receive disability coverage when he was diagnosed.
"As soon as he was diagnosed, the members of the fire department put out signup sheets and covered his shifts and worked so many times when he couldn't," Stoaks said.
If his shifts weren't covered, Stoaks said her husband would have to use sick leave, vacation or work even when he couldn't. She said the extra burden made it difficult to focus on treatment and getting Brian the care he needed.
Stoaks said she cried tears of joy Wednesday as she watched the bill advance through the Iowa Senate.
"From now on, a first responder in the state of Iowa, if they're diagnosed, will know that their cancers are covered. They won't have to panic and look to see if there's is one on the list of 14," Stoaks said. "I know now that the state of Iowa is going to take care of our first responders in the way that they deserve to be taken care of."
The Iowa Senate has blocked similar legislation in the past, but it passed HF 969 by a 46-1 vote Wednesday. The Senate amended the bill, so it does have to go back to the House before it could land on the governor's desk for a signature.
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