Senators Collins, Shaheen Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Clinicians Provide Care for Patients Exposed to PFAS

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) introduced bipartisan legislation to better protect the health of Americans who have been exposed to toxic per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The Better Care for PFAS Patients Act would ensure the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Research (ATSDR) regularly assesses and updates clinical guidance regarding the health effects from exposure to PFAS.

"PFAS and other harmful contaminants have been discovered in private water systems in Maine and across the country, and contamination will only become more evident as testing becomes more readily available," said Senator Collins. "This bipartisan bill would require the CDC to continuously update clinical guidance on the health effects of PFAS, helping to ensure that medical professionals and citizens have access to the latest information on these substances."

"As we learn more about the health effects of PFAS, it's imperative that we take steps to help protect Americans who have high exposure to these toxic chemicals," said Senator Shaheen. "I have long fought to address PFAS contamination in New Hampshire so I'm proud to build on those efforts by introducing bipartisan legislation that would ensure health care providers have the most up-to-date information and guidance in order to best care for their patients. Finding new ways to support those impacted by PFAS will continue to be one of my top bipartisan priorities in Congress."

Specifically, the Better Care for PFAS Patients Act would:

• require the ATSDR to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) to assess the health effects of PFAS and formulate clinical recommendations within two years of enactment;

• direct NASEM to update its assessment of PFAS health effects and clinical guidance every five years or more frequently as determined by ATSDR; and

• ensure ATSDR issues its own clinical guidance on addressing the health effects of PFAS within five years of enactment and update that guidance every five years or more frequently as determined by ATSDR.

The legislation has been endorsed by the Environmental Working Group, Southern Environmental Law Center, Merrimack Citizens for Clean Water, Testing for Pease, and the National PFAS Contamination Coalition.

The complete text of the bill can be read here.

As lead negotiators of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Senators Collins and Shaheen secured $10 billion to specifically address PFAS and other emerging contaminants, $5 billion of which is targeted to small and disadvantaged communities.

Since 2024, Senator Collins has secured a total of $33 million in annual appropriations legislation to establish and support the PFAS Center of Excellence at the University of Maine's New England Plant, Soil, and Water Research Laboratory. Senator Collins had previously secured $8,000,000 for UMaine to address PFAS contamination in 2022.

Last December, Senators Collins and Shaheen reintroduced the Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act. This legislation would authorize grants for states to provide financial assistance to affected farmers, expand monitoring and testing, remediate PFAS, or even help farmers relocate.

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