SENATOR ANWAR JOINS SENATE ADVANCEMENT OF EXPANSIONS TO CANCER RELIEF PROGRAM FOR FIREFIGHTERS

Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) joined Senate Democrats to advance legislation expanding conditions and circumstances covered by the state’s Firefighters Cancer Relief Program.

Senate Bill 1426, “An Act Making Changes To The Firefighters Cancer Relief Program,” seeks to include skin cancer as a type of cancer covered under program benefits, removes a requirement that firefighters must have had physicals failing to show a likelihood of cancer development before receiving support and makes a few other changes to the program as it stands.

The program allows firefighters to qualify for benefits if they’re diagnosed with certain types of cancer, had a physical examination after joining service and were employed as a firefighter in certain positions for at least five years.

“Our relief program for firefighters has delivered real support for people who sacrificed to serve our communities and are struggling with their health. It’s about time we expand its access to include more people,” said Sen. Anwar. “By including more forms of cancer in coverage and making it simpler for individuals to apply for support, we’re going to help more people reach the aid they need and deserve.”

In addition to expanding cancer coverage and removing a requirement for accessing care, the bill streamlines access to care by removing a step in the application process, allowing a primary municipal or state employer to administer claims or benefits instead of municipalities themselves.

The bill also allows for deaths or disabilities connected to work on the job to be treated as occupational disease instead of personal injury.

This legislation previously passed out of the Labor and Public Employees Committee by a 12-1 vote in March. It now heads to the House for further consideration.

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Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969