Hunter
06/08/25
A new law effective immediately in Iowa will cover health care for firefighters and other first responders who suffer from all forms of cancer.
The Des Moines Register reports Iowa law previously covered only 14 types of cancer. Firefighters and their families have been advocating for years to change the law to expand disability benefits.
The law affects firefighters, police officers, sheriff deputies and emergency medical services responders.
The expanded benefits are available to members of the Peace Officers’ Retirement, Accident and Disability System (PORS); the Municipal Fire and Police Retirement System of Iowa (411 System); and the Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS) who are members of a protection occupation or sheriffs and sheriff deputies who have a cancer diagnosis.
To pay for the expanded benefits, the law slightly increases the contribution rate that the employees pay into their retirement system.