Cancer Insurance Legislation For the NC Fire Service Becomes Reality

*CONGRATULATIONS NC FIRE SERVICE*

Cancer Insurance Legislation For the NC Fire Service Becomes Reality

The Firefighters Fighting Cancer Insurance program has been included in the  Legislative Budget negotiated by both Chambers of the General Assembly and will become law when signed by the Governor. Call your Senate and House Representatives and THANK THEM FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THIS CRITICAL LEGISLATION. It’s as important to thank them as it is to ask them for support. 

This is a Cancer Insurance Bill that provides benefits for firefighters who contract cancer after January 1, 2022. It is funded out of the General Fund and the Department of Insurance is directed to administer the program. 

This legislative effort was the result of the hard work and planning of multiple groups and individuals. 

Thanks go out to:

      – The Primary Bill sponsors Representatives Saine, Bell and Hardister, who introduced the Bill (HB 535) originally as well as the more than 50 House co-sponsors from across the State; 

      – The House and Senate budget writers who added it to the budget; 

      – All the House and Senate members who voted for the budget bill;

      – The NC League of Municipalities who worked with the NCSFA during 2019 and 2020 to bring in a consultant to draft language on the concept, determine manageable benefits and cost, and provide workable language; 

      – The Joint Legislative Committee of the NCSFA, NCAFC, and the PFFPNC and their Boards who supported this concept as a priority for 2021, after attempts in previous years for a Workers Compensation Presumptive Cancer approach for municipal firefighters failed; 

      – Those 200 or so firefighters and fire officers who attended the 2021 NCSFA Legislative Day, wore NCSFA Purple face masks as a symbol of support, met with their legislative representatives and handed out materials and discussed information on the priority; 

      – Members of the PFFPNC who hosted their own legislative events as well and worked to support passage;

      – All the firefighters and fire officers who wrote, emailed, spoke with at home, visited, and called their Representatives in the General Assembly asking them to support the initiative; 

      – Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey and the Office of State Fire Marshal who supported the effort, provided administrative support, and agreed to coordinate implementation of the policy when it becomes effective in 2022; 

      – Lobbyist and legislative liaisons who tracked the bill, provided information, and kept discussion on the issue at the forefront;

      – Governor Cooper who has agreed to sign the budget; 

      – And anyone else who contributed to the passage of this important piece of legislation. 

Since this is an insurance package that covers both career and volunteer firefighters, governmental and non-profit, it is a win for all of the NC Fire Service.