New York – Bill to Expand Health Insurance Coverage for First Responders Becomes Law

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    New York – Assemblyman Clifford W. Crouch (R,I-Guilford) today announced a new law that provides expanded health services and insurance for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers. The bill, A.8215, of which Crouch was a co-sponsor, was signed into law by Governor Paterson.

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    “Volunteer first responders are crucial to the safety and well-being of the citizens of this state,” said Crouch. “It is only appropriate that they receive the same protections that they offer to all of us on a daily basis. By having expanded health coverage, families can rest easy knowing that their loved ones are insured.”

    Crouch noted that before this law was passed, families took on the total cost of health insurance. This new law authorizes municipalities that offer the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) to their employees to include volunteer firefighters and ambulance company workers. Currently, over 900 municipalities participate in NYSHIP.

    “This is also vital for recruitment and retention efforts for volunteer emergency services,” said Crouch. “People who want to sign-up to be a volunteer firefighter or ambulance worker, or those currently in the system, now have access to more affordable health insurance. Maintaining these volunteer services is essential and this will certainly help in that effort.”


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    10 Comments
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    monseyer
    monseyer
    13 years ago

    Will Hatzalah members benefit from this?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    I don’t get it who buys the policy? The ambulance company or an employer not from the ambulance? If the employer was he not able to provide this before?

    Eli
    Eli
    13 years ago

    This is great news for Hatzalah Volunteers.

    hatzoloh member
    hatzoloh member
    13 years ago

    and how do we benifet from this?????

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    They still have to pay for it.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    I think that only in KJ this will really make a difference, they have their own municipality and own private Ambulance corp.

    Wvollee
    Wvollee
    13 years ago

    ‘This new law authorizes municipalities that offer the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) to their employees to include volunteer firefighters and ambulance company”

    so’s blumbergs gonna open up registration?

    Come on
    Come on
    13 years ago

    This is a wonderful thing, but if New York is broke, WHO is going to PAY for this?
    Answer: the TAXPAYER!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    All this allows is for volunteer firefighters and volunteer ems to purchase health insurance at a reduced rate throuhg the municipality system. THe city and other municipalites won’t be paying for it. It however allows someone who is paying for their own health insurance to purchase it at a reduced rate.