Don Bacon (R-NE)
Federal Firefighter Cancer Detection and Prevention Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 12 Democratic cosponsors · See all 12 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Federal Firefighter Cancer Detection and Prevention Act of 2025. It requires the Secretary of Defense to provide medical testing and related services to Department of Defense firefighters to detect and prevent certain cancers. These services must be provided at no cost to the firefighter during their annual periodic health assessment or at other specified intervals. The bill covers screenings for breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and other cancers identified as higher risk among firefighters. Firefighters are allowed to opt out of receiving these medical testing or related services. The bill also includes provisions for documenting test results while protecting personal privacy by removing personally identifiable information before analysis.
Yes· 3 of 12
- Scored +7
Would people in middle age be better off under this?
The bill provides cancer screenings specifically tailored for individuals in middle age, such as those 40 and older.
- Scored +7
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
The bill increases the frequency of certain screenings, like mammograms, for firefighters aged 50 and older.
- Scored +7
Would women be better off under this?
The bill mandates specific, age-based mammogram screenings for female firefighters.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Breast Cancer Screening: Section 2(a)(1) ensures that female firefighters receive mammograms and professional reviews by a licensed radiologist at no cost, which helps detect and prevent breast cancer.
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Colon Cancer Screening: Section 2(a)(2) provides firefighters with risk and benefit communications, visual examinations like colonoscopies, and stool-based blood testing reviewed by a licensed physician to help detect colon cancer early.
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Prostate Cancer Screening: Section 2(a)(3) offers male firefighters prostate-specific antigen tests and risk information annually or as clinically indicated, with specific focus on high-risk individuals.
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Other Cancer Screenings: Section 2(a)(4) mandates routine screenings during annual assessments for any other cancers identified by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as having a higher risk among firefighters than the general public.
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No Cost to Firefighters: Section 2(a) explicitly states that all medical testing and related services will be provided at no cost to the firefighter.
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Privacy Protections: Section 2(d)(2) requires that an individual's name and any other personally identifiable information be removed before any test data or information is analyzed.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
Based on the provided text, there are no explicit negative impacts or burdens identified for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would men be better off under this? — The bill provides specific prostate cancer screening protocols for male firefighters. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — The bill provides cancer screenings specifically tailored for individuals in middle age, such as those 40 and older. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill increases the frequency of certain screenings, like mammograms, for firefighters aged 50 and older. Would women be better off under this? — The bill mandates specific, age-based mammogram screenings for female firefighters. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill recognizes African Americans as a high-risk group for prostate cancer and provides targeted screenings. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill provides medical services at no cost to the firefighter, which is a significant financial benefit.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill provides no-cost cancer screenings and related medical services specifically for Department of Defense firefighters. Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill allows for the collection and sharing of de-identified data with the CDC to increase the understanding of cancer occurrences among firefighters.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill mandates the removal of personally identifiable information before scientific analysis of health data. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Secretary to document acceptance rates and test results to identify cancer trends.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill specifically identifies African Americans as a high-risk group for prostate cancer to ensure targeted screening.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — While primarily for active firefighters, providing health security to defense personnel supports the overall health of the Department of Defense workforce.
- 9/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/18/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/16/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/18/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/7/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 10/8/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/4/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/17/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Ami BeraDemocrat · California
Jason CrowDemocrat · Colorado
Laura GillenDemocrat · New York
Maggie GoodlanderDemocrat · New Hampshire
Mike LevinDemocrat · California
Donald NorcrossDemocrat · New Jersey
Joe NeguseDemocrat · Colorado
Chris PappasDemocrat · New Hampshire
Emily RandallDemocrat · Washington
Derek TranDemocrat · California
Gabe VasquezDemocrat · New Mexico
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia