Maine Senate Democrats: Sen. Brenner Introduces Legislation to Expand Health Care Coverage for PFAS Blood Testing

AUGUSTA, Maine, March 29 -- The Maine Senate Democrats issued the following news on March 28, 2023:

On Tuesday, Sen. Stacy Brenner, D-Scarborough, introduced a bill to require private health insurance companies to cover the cost of blood serum testing for PFAS. LD 132, "An Act to Require Health Insurance Carriers to Provide Coverage for Blood Testing for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances," was the subject of a public hearing before the Joint Standing Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services.

"PFAS contamination has deeply and adversely affected rural life for many in Maine. I have also seen and heard from fellow Maine friends about the devastation that they have experienced as a result of PFAS. This legislation will be instrumental in ensuring that affected communities have access to blood serum testing for PFAS," Sen. Brenner said. "Early detection of PFAS-linked diseases means the difference between life and death for many people. Given the stakes of this issue, everyone deserves the opportunity to know whether or not their health is at risk."

LD 132 would help ensure that blood serum testing for PFAS is accessible to all Mainers. Blood serum tests cost upward of $600 out-of-pocket. Many members of PFAS-affected communities are not able to pay for a test that could potentially save their lives. LD 132 would require all health plans offered in Maine that are renewed by or beginning on Jan. 1, 2024, to cover blood serum testing for PFAS.

Sen. David LaFountain, D-Winslow, testified in support of the bill: "There is grave concern that our firefighters have been performing their duties in contaminated gear. This test is necessary for effective medical care. I have dedicated my career to public safety, and this is a matter of public safety. These tests will allow families, seniors, and first responders to get the answers they deserve."

PFAS, also called "forever chemicals," have been connected to numerous health risks such as, kidney cancer, elevated cholesterol, and reduced infant birthweight. Currently, there isn't a way to remove PFAS from a person's body. The body also cannot break down PFAS on its own, meaning that these forever chemicals can remain in someone's body for decades. Blood serum testing ensures that Mainers can know their level of PFAS exposure and the related health risks.

At least 25 schools and daycare facilities in Maine use water supplies that are above Maine's PFAS drinking water standard of 20 parts per trillion. The 6,650 students enrolled in these schools may have been exposed to these dangerous levels of PFAS. An additional 43 schools have been exposed to PFAS levels higher than the EPA's draft drinking water standards, which are lower than the state's regulation. The 9,550 students enrolled in these 43 schools have potentially been exposed to these high levels of forever chemicals.

At least 56 farms with documented PFAS contamination contain high levels of PFAS. These levels were discovered in the first tier of the state's sludge investigation.

LD 132 faces further action in committee.

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View legislation here: http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0071&item=1&snum=131

Original text here: https://www.mainesenate.org/sen-brenner-introduces-legislation-to-expand-health-care-coverage-for-pfas-blood-testing/