H.R. 3490

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To require the Government Accountability Office to produce a report on esophageal cancer, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · May 19, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Connolly · Committee: Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

Table of contents

• H.R. 3490
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Findings
  • SEC. 3. GAO report

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the Esophageal Cancer Awareness Act.

SEC. 2. Findings

• Congress finds that—
  • esophageal cancer is the fastest increasing cancer among American men;
  • esophageal cancer is one of the fastest growing cancer diagnoses among all Americans, increasing more than 700 percent in recent decades;
  • esophageal cancer kills 1 American every 36 minutes every day;
  • esophageal cancer is among the deadliest of cancers, with only about 1 in 5 patients surviving 5 years;
  • esophageal cancer has tripled in incidence among younger Americans in recent decades;
  • esophageal cancer has low survival rates because it is usually discovered at advanced stages when treatment outcomes are poor;
  • raising awareness about esophageal cancer empowers individuals to seek preventive care, recognize symptoms, and pursue early detection strategies;
  • survivors, caregivers, medical professionals, and researchers have made tremendous strides in advancing treatment options and improving the quality of life for those affected by the disease;
  • esophageal cancer can be prevented through early detection of its precursor, Barrett’s esophagus, which can be eliminated with curative outpatient techniques;
  • research indicates that patients diagnosed with early-stage esophageal cancer have a significantly higher 5-year survival rate (as high as 49 percent) compared to those diagnosed at later stages, underscoring the critical need for enhanced screening and awareness; and
  • as of December 2022, the American Gastroenterological Association recommends screening with a standard upper endoscopy in individuals with 3 or more established risk factors for Barrett’s Esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma, including—
    • male sex;
    • non-Hispanic white ethnicity;
    • age of 50 years or older;
    • a history of smoking, chronic gastrointestinal reflux disease, or obesity; and
    • a family history of Barrett’s Esophagus or esophageal adenocarcinoma.

SEC. 3. GAO report

• Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to Congress that includes an evaluation of—
  • the total impact of esophageal cancer-related health care spending under the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program for Federal employees and retirees diagnosed with esophageal cancer; and
  • how often individuals covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program with medical records indicating such individuals are high-risk for esophageal cancer undergo screening according to the established guidelines.