On June 1, 2026, Texas will usher in a landmark change for firefighter health and safety: under the recently passed Wade Cannon Act, cities and municipalities will be required to offer cancer screenings at no cost to firefighters beginning their sixth year of service. The law—formally House Bill 198—was signed in May 2025 and aims to address the long-recognized risks firefighters face from repeated exposure to carcinogenic toxins.
Why This Law Matters
Firefighters frequently enter environments containing dangerous chemicals, smoke, and carcinogens. Many of these substances may linger in the body or cause damage long after exposure. According to Mission Fire Department firefighter and kidney cancer survivor Homer Salinas, “there are chemicals that will go into your body and never come out.” Salinas himself endured a protracted legal battle for compensation before receiving benefits—illustrating both the personal and systemic cost of inadequate protections.
Named in honor of Wade Cannon, a North Texas first responder who died of colon cancer at age 33, the law seeks not only to reduce financial and emotional burdens for firefighters but also to enhance early detection and treatment outcomes.
Under the law:
- Fire departments must cover regular cancer screenings starting after a firefighter’s fifth year on the job.
- There is no cost to the firefighter for these screenings.
- Advocates believe that earlier detection can save lives and lower long-term treatment costs for both municipalities and individuals.
As John Riddle, President of the Texas State Association of Firefighters, put it: “By detecting cancer early, it saves both cities and firefighters the cost of late-stage cancer treatment.”
Implications for Occupational Health & UDS Health’s Role
This new law represents a paradigm shift in how occupational risk is managed for firefighters. UDS Health—as a provider invested in preventive care and community health—has the opportunity to support implementation in multiple ways:
- Partnership & outreach: Collaborate with fire departments and municipalities to ensure screenings are accessible and consistent.
- Education & awareness: Help firefighters understand the importance of regular screenings, what to expect, and how to follow up on results.
- Clinical integration: Integrate occupational exposure histories into electronic medical records (EMRs) to flag at-risk individuals.
- Support services: Offer navigation, counseling, or ancillary services (e.g. wellness, smoking cessation) to augment screening programs.
At UDS Health, our mission is to bridge gaps in care and strengthen preventative health for vulnerable communities. This law aligns with our values: protecting those who protect us.
What Firefighters Should Know
- Eligibility timeline — Screenings become mandatory after five years of service.
- At no personal cost — The municipality pays; firefighters do not bear the expense.
- Take action early — Even before the law’s effective date, firefighters and departments can begin planning to set up workflows, provider partnerships, and education campaigns.
- Follow through — Screening is only a first step; ensuring timely diagnostics, treatment, and continued surveillance is critical.
Source: New State Law Will Provide Cancer Screenings for Firefighters, KRGV (KRGV)
