TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A bill to guarantee health care benefits to firefighters with several types of cancer is on its way to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
It unanimously passed the Florida House on Wednesday with a 116-0 vote. Yesterday, it unanimously passed the Senate.
The legislation allows for a one-time, $25,000 disability payment to firefighters and death benefits to their families if they are diagnosed with 21 different types of cancer. It also would cut out the need for firefighters to file workman's comp claims in some instances.
For many firefighters and their families, lawmakers' action has been a long time coming. There had been no movement of legislation covering firefighters' benefits for years despite more than half of House lawmakers in support.
Cancer has been determined as the most dangerous threat for full-time firefighters. According to the International Association of Fire Fighters, cancer caused 61 percent of line-of-duty deaths.
Florida House Speaker Jose Oliva previously said the problem had been how to pay for the coverage. The bill states an employer participating in a retirement plan or system will be responsible for paying contributions.
Rep. Blaise Ingoglia (R-Spring Hill) released a statement:
“Today the Florida House showed that we have the backs of those who have our backs. As community leaders, our firefighters have waited long enough to get the cancer coverage they need. It’s not often that you get to do something extraordinary and monumental that will have a great impact on people’s lives. I’m honored to stand beside Speaker Oliva, CFO Patronis, Rep. Wilhite and Rep. Latvala to deliver on a much-needed benefit for these hometown heroes."
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