DES MOINES, Iowa — After not taking up the issue all last session, the Iowa Senate voted to move through legislation expanding cancer coverage for first responders.

The bill passed through the chamber on Wednesday morning by a vote of 46 for and one against. The bill drops the 14 cancer types in the definition in Iowa code, allowing for more types of cancer to be covered when a first responder, specifically firefighters, to receive treatment.

Without this bill adding to the types of cancers that would be covered, firefighters in the state have not been able to get disability coverage. Those work shifts were left to be covered by first responders stepping up to cover while one is out receiving cancer treatment.

“You keep your fingers crossed, you hold your breathe on it, type of deal. But a great sense of pride to, you know, some relief,” said Joe Van Haalen, president of Des Moines Professional Fire Fighters. “We had a full gallery up there and then relief in the fact that those guys’ wives don’t have to go up there anymore and tell that story because that’s been difficult for them. I know that they’ve been all in and super helpful in getting this to where it’s at, but I don’t want to bring them back up there anymore.”

Kelly Stoaks, widow of former DMFD Brian Stoaks has showed up to the statehouse multiple times to share her family’s story when Brian was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was not eligible for disability coverage. Multiple other wives who have lost their significant others have showed up over the last two years to testify as well.

The bill was amended in the Iowa Senate and heads back over to the Iowa House for a vote. Van Haalen was told that the House chamber is supposed to debate the bill the next time the body comes together, with hopes of the bill being signed into law in May.

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