The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 131, adding breast cancer to the list of diseases presumed covered by workers’ compensation insurance for firefighters. The diseases presumed covered includes primary brain cancer, malignant melanoma, leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, bladder cancer, ureter cancer, kidney cancer, prostate cancer and now breast cancer. It also includes respiratory disease and cardiovascular events that are experienced within 72 hours after exposure to smoke, fumes or toxic substances.
District N Sen. Roger Holland of Anchorage, “Firefighters are exposed to numerous physical and health hazards during a normal course of their duty. Incidents of cancer and firefighters are shown to be higher than the general population. Initially, I wrongly assumed that this was an issue only to female firefighters. If you are a male firefighter, you are seven and a half times more likely to die from breast cancer than your non-fire service counterparts. Studies that have evaluated cancer risk among female firefighters suggest that they, like their male counterparts, may be in an elevated risk for overall cancer incidents including breast cancer. Female firefighters make up such a small percentage of the firefighter population that it is difficult to draw conclusions about their health risk, but the same mechanism that would cause increases in breast cancer in men is thought to be able to result in proportional increases in female firefighters. Even with coverage under presumptive laws, the qualification process can be difficult. Without presumptive law coverage, the process can be difficult and expensive at a time when the firefighter and their loved ones should be able to focus on treatment, wellness, and sometimes, sadly, end of life decisions.”
Following a termination of service, the presumption established extends to the firefighter for a period of three calendar months for each year of requisite service, but may not extend more than 60 calendar months following the last date of employment. It applies only to an active or former firefighter who has a previously aforementioned disease that develops or manifests itself after the firefighter served in the state for at least seven years.
The bill will now be transmitted to the House where it will receive committee referrals and continue through the legislative process next year.
Transcribed audio courtesy of KTOO 360TV.
