I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3490 
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 
Mr. CONNOLLY (for himself and Mr. COMER) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform 
A BILL 
To require the Government Accountability Office to produce 
a report on esophageal cancer, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Esophageal Cancer 
Awareness Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds that— 
(1) esophageal cancer is the fastest increasing 
cancer among American men; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:20 May 22, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3490.IH
H3490
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
(2) esophageal cancer is one of the fastest 
growing cancer diagnoses among all Americans, in-
creasing more than 700 percent in recent decades; 
(3) esophageal cancer kills 1 American every 36 
minutes every day; 
(4) esophageal cancer is among the deadliest of 
cancers, with only about 1 in 5 patients surviving 5 
years; 
(5) esophageal cancer has tripled in incidence 
among younger Americans in recent decades; 
(6) esophageal cancer has low survival rates be-
cause it is usually discovered at advanced stages 
when treatment outcomes are poor; 
(7) raising awareness about esophageal cancer 
empowers individuals to seek preventive care, recog-
nize symptoms, and pursue early detection strate-
gies; 
(8) survivors, caregivers, medical professionals, 
and researchers have made tremendous strides in 
advancing treatment options and improving the 
quality of life for those affected by the disease; 
(9) esophageal cancer can be prevented through 
early detection of its precursor, Barrett’s esophagus, 
which can be eliminated with curative outpatient 
techniques; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:20 May 22, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3490.IH
H3490
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
(10) research indicates that patients diagnosed 
with early-stage esophageal cancer have a signifi-
cantly higher 5-year survival rate (as high as 49 per-
cent) compared to those diagnosed at later stages, 
underscoring the critical need for enhanced screen-
ing and awareness; and 
(11) as of December 2022, the American Gas-
troenterological Association recommends screening 
with a standard upper endoscopy in individuals with 
3 or more established risk factors for Barrett’s 
Esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma, includ-
ing— 
(A) male sex; 
(B) non-Hispanic white ethnicity; 
(C) age of 50 years or older; 
(D) a history of smoking, chronic gastro-
intestinal reflux disease, or obesity; and 
(E) a family history of Barrett’s Esoph-
agus 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 evalua-
tion of— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:20 May 22, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3490.IH
H3490
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
(1) the total impact of esophageal cancer-re-
lated health care spending under the Federal Em-
ployee Health Benefits Program for Federal employ-
ees and retirees diagnosed with esophageal cancer; 
and 
(2) how often individuals covered under the 
Federal Employees Health Benefits Program with 
medical records indicating such individuals are high- 
risk for esophageal cancer undergo screening accord-
ing to the established guidelines. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:20 May 22, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H3490.IH
H3490
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB