On Thursday, the Assembly Appropriations Committee favorably reported A-4127, which mandates access to periodic cancer screening examinations for firefighters who are not enrolled in the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP). This provides for the approximately 2,000 firefighters who were excluded from a law signed in January (P.L. 2021, c. 478) that covers the vast majority of firefighters. This legislation had been second referenced to this committee after being favorably reported from Assembly State and Local Government Committee earlier this month.
Under current law, a firefighter enrolled in SHBP is entitled to a cancer screening exam every three years. This bill expands the access to the same examinations for firefighters who have a different health care plan through their employers or receive health insurance coverage in any other manner.
The League supports this measure because it provides parity for all firefighters while providing funding and it creates a risk management benchmark.
The bill awaits full consideration in the Assembly. S-2743, the Senate companion, has been referenced to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and awaits consideration.
Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.