HB 4989 West Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Professional Firefighter cancer screening

HB 4989 establishes a state-funded pilot program offering free cancer screenings to West Virginia's active and retired firefighters. The program provides a comprehensive screening package including a multi-cancer blood test, abdominal/thyroid/liver ultrasound, lung CT if needed, and skin cancer screening, with a $1,300 cost limit per person. Firefighters may self-fund screenings before July 1, 2026, and seek reimbursement, while the state covers costs for the 24-month pilot starting July 1, 2026. A committee will develop the program plan, track participation and results, and report findings to state leaders after 12 and 24 months.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 30, 2026 Last action Feb 23, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced Version → Committee Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was fundamentally rewritten to shift from a state-funded pilot program for all firefighters to a requirement for municipalities to provide cancer screenings through existing health insurance. The state's role changed from funding and administering a specific pilot to mandating that paid fire departments with health insurance cover screenings recommended by national standards.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from a temporary state-run pilot program for active and retired firefighters to a permanent mandate requiring municipalities with paid fire departments to offer cancer screenings through their health insurance plans.

FISCAL

Removed the state's obligation to fund a pilot program and the $1,300 reimbursement cap for individuals.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed eligibility for retired firefighters and replaced the specific list of required tests (blood, ultrasound, CT) with a reference to the NFPA 1582 standard.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that municipalities with paid fire departments must ensure their health insurance covers cancer screenings as recommended by NFPA 1582.

TIMELINE

Removed the 24-month pilot timeline and the specific 90-day plan submission deadline.

SCOPE

Changed the statute number and article to reflect a shift from a state-level pilot (Article 10) to a municipal requirement (Article 15).

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 23, 2026

Committee

To House Finance

lower

Feb 23, 2026

Committee

By substitute, do pass, but first to Finance

lower

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

To House Health and Human Resources

lower

Jan 30, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

To Health and Human Resources

lower

1 primary · 6 co-sponsors