An Iowa lawmaker is excited to see a recent bill make its way to Governor Kim Reynolds’ desk and ready to be signed into law.

House File 969 would expand the definition to include coverage for more cancers to help firefighters and emergency first responders. According to Iowa House District 28 Representative David Young, the current state law only covers 14 types of cancer. He details that during the 90th Iowa General Assembly, the House tried to pass a similar bill, but it failed to reach the Senate. 

However this session, the bill is moving further, which makes Young happy. He explains that Iowa is number two in the nation when it comes to cancer, and Young wants to ensure that the legislature is doing everything in their power to protect citizens.

“Our firefighters, our emergency first responders have our backs every day. We say that, we need to show that. They risk their lives (and) go to work for us. With this bill, we can return the favor to them and have their backs as well.”

Young acknowledges that the bill was originally approved in the current session by the House in mid-March, and most recently the Senate also approved it, which it has advanced to Governor Reynolds for her to consider signing it into law.