Maine lawmakers are considering a bill that would require private insurers to cover blood testing for "forever chemicals," a move supporters say could help detect dangerous exposure earlier and potentially save lives.

The legislation, introduced by state Sen. Stacy Brenner, D-Scarborough, would mandate coverage for blood serum testing that can detect per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the human body. These tests currently cost between $450 and $600, putting them out of reach for many Maine residents.

"People deserve to know whether they've been exposed to forever chemicals and cost should never be a barrier against testing," Brenner told the Joint Standing Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services during a public hearing Monday.

If passed, the measure (LD 582) would apply to all health plans in Maine renewed or beginning on January 1, 2026. The bill comes amid growing concerns about PFAS contamination in Maine and nationwide.

PFAS chemicals, widely used in consumer products and industrial applications, have been linked to serious health conditions including kidney cancer, elevated cholesterol levels, and reduced infant birthweight. Medical experts note there is currently no method to remove these substances from the bloodstream once exposure occurs.

Maine has emerged as a national leader in PFAS regulation. In 2022, the state became the first in the nation to ban the spreading of sewage sludge on farm fields, and the state recently amended its landmark PFAS law that will prohibit intentionally added PFAS in various consumer products, including cleaning products, cookware, and cosmetics, starting in 2026. The proposed insurance coverage requirement would build upon these existing protections, particularly benefiting residents in areas where PFAS contamination has been found on more than 100 Maine farms. 

The proposal faces further committee review before it can advance to the full legislature. Maine has been at the forefront of PFAS regulation, having previously passed laws to ban the chemicals in food packaging and products.

Environmental health advocates argue that early detection through blood testing is crucial for monitoring exposure levels and identifying potential health impacts before they become severe. The bill would make Maine one of the first states to require insurance coverage for PFAS blood testing.

Industry professionals and environmental experts will gather to discuss the latest developments in PFAS detection, destruction, and remediation technologies at the upcoming RemTEC & Emerging Contaminants Summit, scheduled for October 14-16, 2025. The summit, which brings together leaders from academia, government, and the regulatory community, will showcase cutting-edge solutions for addressing PFAS contamination. Registration for the event, which draws environmental remediation engineers, restoration project managers, and other environmental professionals from across the country, opens soon at remediation-technology.com.