Defend Joined Dozens of Advocates in Support Of LD 132

On Tuesday, Defend joined dozens of impacted families, farmers, and activists who testified in support of LD 132 “An Act to Require Health Insurance Carriers to Provide Coverage for Blood Testing for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances.” This bill would require insurance companies to cover the cost of PFAS blood serum testing. Advocates urged that a mandate must be placed on health insurance companies to ensure that access to blood testing for PFAS exposure is guaranteed for all Mainers.

As reported on by WGME News, impacted farmers, firefighters, activists, medical professionals and elected officials gathered at the Maine Statehouse to speak before the Joint Standing Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services to urge them to pass LD 132. Joined by bill sponsor Senator Stacy Brenner, advocates testified across the board that to truly tackle the issue of PFAS contamination in Maine, early detection is a key tactic in this approach and can only be done by ensuring that all Mainers have access to PFAS blood testing through their insurance companies. 

Below are excerpts of testimony from the hearing:   

Senator Stacy Brenner, Senate District 30: “‘Forever chemicals’ pose significant health risks including kidney cancer, reduced vaccine response, elevated cholesterol, reduced infant birth weight, and more. Low-income communities, communities of color, tribal and rural communities are disproportionately impacted and more susceptible to health and financial impacts of PFAS contamination.”

Susan Hunter, farmer from Unity, ME: “PFAS contamination has affected my life, my farm, and my family. I have had farm income lost both immediate and generational…We have consumed this water [on my farm] for 14 years. I believe that the blood test should be covered by the insurance companies because it is important for me to know what effect this contamination has had on my body and my family’s body. I am concerned for my family members. My husband passed away in 2015 due to cancer and I am not even sure if the contamination of PFAS has anything to do with that.”

Senator David LaFountain, Senate District 16: “In addition to working with the State to identify and execute cleanup efforts, this move to require insurance companies to cover costs of blood testing for PFAS is key to a holistic cleanup effort. The cost barrier is great with the price tag anywhere between $400-$600 is simply not affordable to most of the families in this area. The need for private insurance policies to cover this testing is great and it covers party lines.”

Denise Tepler, Board Member of the Maine Public Health Association: “PFAS contamination has been identified in well water sources and farm fields all across the state of Maine, putting those who rely on these resources at risk of hazardous chemical exposure. It is clear that PFAS exposure poses a risk to public health. As such, we support efforts to improve our understanding of this exposure and the ability to minimize potential health risks.” 

Adam Nordell, Campaign Manager at Defend Our Health: “Without the help of insurance coverage, the PFAS blood serum test costs between $450 and $600. That out-of-pocket cost is currently preventing Maine residents who have an identified high risk of exposure from accessing the test. Without this information, they are unable to protect themselves. My experience with PFAS has been enormously disempowering. My business is shuddered, my family’s life completely uprooted, and our health potentially compromised. But the PFAS blood serum test gives us the tools to protect ourselves and our son from additional high-level exposure. And it gives us a head-start to identify and treat any PFAS linked illnesses that crop up. Early detection saves lives. This is something that everyone deserves access to.”

Sarah Woodbury, Director of Advocacy at Defend Our Health: “While the health impacts of PFAS are serious, they can be mitigated by early detection and monitoring by a healthcare professional. Much like a mammogram or other preventative healthcare measures, access to PFAS blood serum testing will provide PFAS impacted Mainers and their doctors with the necessary information to help them to set up monitoring, and if necessary, treatment plans. Prevention is the best medicine. But much like other preventative care, these tests aren’t cheap. The cost for a test can run from $450-600 dollars, a not insignificant cost for many in our communities. Insurance companies should be required to pay for these costs to help Mainers monitor their health and give their doctors vital information. The burden of this cost should not land on the shoulders of our farmers, firefighters, and other PFAS impacted individuals.”