WASHINGTON — A bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Congressman Mike Lawler (R,NY-17), is urging the federal government to expand cancer screening coverage for 9/11 responders and survivors enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program.

Lawler, and Congressmen Andrew Garbarino and Dan Goldman joined Democratic U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in leading 26 members of Congress in a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services requesting coverage for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and skin cancer examinations.

The lawmakers said rescue and recovery workers exposed to toxic substances at the World Trade Center site face elevated risks of developing prostate and skin cancers. While treatment for those cancers is covered under the World Trade Center Health Program, routine screenings currently are not.

The letter urges HHS to begin the process of evaluating and approving coverage for the screenings, arguing that earlier detection could improve outcomes for an at-risk population.

Benjamin Chevat, executive director of Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act, praised the effort, calling it a continuation of Congress’ commitment to those affected by Ground Zero toxins as the nation approaches the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

“This effort to build on the program’s history of improved outcomes with a call for even more improvements in cancer screening among 9/11 responders and survivors shows the delegation’s continuing commitment to those impacted by the toxins at Ground Zero,” Chevat said.