Gerald E. Connolly Esophageal Cancer Awareness Act of 2025
The Gerald E. Connolly Esophageal Cancer Awareness Act of 2025 would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to produce a report evaluating esophageal cancer within the federal employee health benefits program (FEHBP). Specifically, the GAO would assess (1) the total health care spending related to esophageal cancer for federal employees and retirees enrolled in FEHBP, and (2) how often high-risk FEHBP enrollees receive recommended screening for esophageal cancer. The bill emphasizes awareness, early detection, and the potential to reduce mortality by identifying precursor conditions such as Barrett’s esophagus. The required GAO report would be due within one year of enactment, potentially informing future policy or program improvements, although the bill itself does not create new funding or screening mandates.
Key Points
- 1This Act is titled the Gerald E. Connolly Esophageal Cancer Awareness Act of 2025 and focuses on raising awareness and evaluating screening and spending related to esophageal cancer within FEHBP.
- 2It highlights the growing impact of esophageal cancer, including rising incidence, high mortality, and the potential survival benefits of early detection and screening.
- 3The GAO would, within one year of enactment, report on the total FEHBP spending for esophageal cancer care for diagnosed federal employees and retirees.
- 4The GAO would also report on how often FEHBP enrollees who are identified as high-risk for esophageal cancer undergo screening in line with established guidelines.
- 5The bill relies on existing guidelines (as of December 2022, the American Gastroenterological Association recommends screening with a standard upper endoscopy for individuals with three or more risk factors) and aims to verify adherence to those guidelines within FEHBP data.