Pennsylvania legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Pennsylvania HR471: A Resolution designating the month of April 2026 as "Esophageal Cancer Awareness and Prevention Month" in Pennsylvania.
Status: In committee, June 16, 2026
What the bill says
A resolution Designating the month of April 2026 as "Esophageal Cancer Awareness and Prevention Month" in Pennsylvania.
From the introduced text, April 8, 2026:
A RESOLUTION Designating the month of April 2026 as "Esophageal Cancer Awareness and Prevention Month" in Pennsylvania. WHEREAS, According to the National Cancer Institute, an estimated 22,070 individuals were diagnosed with esophageal cancer in the United States in 2025, and approximately 16,250 died from the disease; and WHEREAS, Esophageal cancer is among the deadliest cancers, and only approximately one in five patients will survive for five years; and WHEREAS, Esophageal cancer is often not detected and diagnosed until the disease has reached the later stages, and treatment is often radical, is likely to cause complications and involves outcomes which are poor; and WHEREAS, In the past, when esophageal cancer was detected early, open esophagectomy was associated with a high mortality rate and a prolonged length of stay and recovery; and WHEREAS, Recent advances in surgery and critical care have allowed centers of excellence in selected academic hospitals to perform minimally invasive esophagectomy, some robotically, with excellent outcomes, lower risk of death and earlier return to activities of daily living; and WHEREAS, One of the most common causes of esophageal cancer is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is viewed by many sufferers as an acceptable condition of life; and WHEREAS, GERD can lead to Barrett's esophagus, which can increase an individual's risk of developing esophageal cancer; and WHEREAS, With monitoring and …
Sponsors
- Joseph Emrick (R, 137) · primary sponsor
- Robert FREEMAN (D, 136)
- Hanbidge, Liz (D, 61)
- Robert James (R, 64)
- Jeanne McNeill (D, 133)
- Jeffrey Olsommer (R, 139)
- Tina Pickett (R, 110)
- Ed Neilson (D, HD-174)
- Nikki Rivera (D, 96)
- Milou Mackenzie (R, 131)
- Patrick Gallagher (D, 173)
- Dan Williams (D, 74)
Latest actions
- : Laid on the table (Pursuant to House Rule 71), June 16, 2026
- : Reported as committed, April 14, 2026
- : Referred to HEALTH, April 8, 2026
Votes
- House Health: Report Bill As Committed (April 14, 2026): 26 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: HEALTH
Common questions
- What is HR471?
- HR471 is a bill in the Pennsylvania Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): A Resolution designating the month of April 2026 as "Esophageal Cancer Awareness and Prevention Month" in Pennsylvania.
- What does HR471 do?
- In its own words: A resolution Designating the month of April 2026 as "Esophageal Cancer Awareness and Prevention Month" in Pennsylvania.
- What is the status of HR471?
- In committee as of June 16, 2026. Latest action: Laid on the table (Pursuant to House Rule 71), June 16, 2026 (June 16, 2026).
- Who sponsored HR471?
- Joseph Emrick (R, 137), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HR471?
- On the Pennsylvania Legislature website: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hr471
Source: official Pennsylvania record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.