Gerald E. Connolly Esophageal Cancer Awareness Act of 2025

Esophageal cancer is often detected at advanced stages and has a low survival rate, making earlier detection and awareness important.

What the law does ​

• Requires the Government Accountability Office to report to Congress within one year of enactment.
• Directs the report to assess esophageal cancer-related health care spending under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.
• Directs the report to examine how often high-risk enrollees receive screening consistent with established guidelines.

Who it affects ​

• Federal employees and retirees covered by the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.
• Enrollees whose medical records indicate a high risk for esophageal cancer.

Breakdown ​

Gerald E. Connolly Esophageal Cancer Awareness Act of 2025 ​

This law requires the Government Accountability Office to evaluate esophageal cancer care and screening under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. The resulting report must assess related health care spending and how often high-risk enrollees receive screening consistent with established guidelines.

Key takeaways

• The Government Accountability Office must submit its report to Congress within one year of enactment.
• The report must evaluate esophageal cancer-related health care spending for federal employees and retirees covered by the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.
• The report must examine how often covered individuals whose medical records indicate a high risk for esophageal cancer receive screening under established guidelines.
• Congress identifies earlier detection and greater awareness as important because esophageal cancer is often found at advanced stages and has a low survival rate.