Measure Would Ensure Health Coverage for Family Members of Deceased First Responders
Assemblyman Troy Singleton has introduced legislation to help ensure medical coverage is not cancelled abruptly for family members of deceased first responders, a measure that was inspired by the recent death of a Cinnaminson firefighter.
“Most of us go to work everyday and never worry about whether we’ll return home safely,” said Singleton (D-Burlington). “For family members of first responders, this is a persistent fear every day. This is the least we can do to help honor the sacrifices their loved ones make day in and day out. Whether Lt. Hunter’s death was a direct result of his official duties is immaterial given the constant sacrifices he has made throughout his career.”
Cinnaminson Fire Lt. Chris Hunter was found unresponsive at his home in mid-November, just hours after his last shift ended. The cause of death was attributed to a cardiac event. However, because it was ruled that he did not die in the line of duty, his family was not eligible for a continuation of medical coverage under his plan.
Singleton’s bill (A-4062) is designed to ensure a six-month continuation of family medical coverage for the spouse and dependents of a deceased police officer, firefighter or emergency medical technician who did not die in the line of duty. Under current law, the employee’s family medical coverage terminates upon death because the employment was terminated.
The families of public safety officers who die in the line of duty are covered for medical insurance by other provisions of law. In order to ensure that the surviving spouse and dependents are not charged an excessive premium for the six-moth medical coverage extension, the bill requires the employer to negotiate an extended coverage provision with the medical insurance carrier.