LANSING – Majority Kathy Angerer (D-Dundee) today introduced a bill that supports the families of Michigan's fallen heroes by protecting the health care benefits of spouses and children of firefighters, police and other emergency first responders killed in the line of duty.
"Our public safety officers put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe and save lives," Angerer said. "When tragedy strikes, we must ensure that their families are protected. My bill will make sure the families of fallen emergency first responders don't have to worry about health care coverage while they are grieving and dealing with the loss of a beloved family member."
Under the legislation, the state would provide health insurance to the spouse or dependent child of a police officer, firefighter or emergency first responder who dies in the line of duty. The coverage would continue until the spouse can obtain comparable health insurance or until the child reaches 18 years of age. Current Michigan law provides such coverage for children, not spouses, even though many times the spouse relied on the first responder for health care coverage.
"The people of Michigan know how hard our police, firefighters, and first responders work every day," Angerer said. "They are asked to do more than many of us could ever grasp – putting their own lives on the line to keep us safe. My bill honors the selflessness of our communities' heroes by ensuring that their families' needs are met."