Landsman, Gallego Introduce Bill to Allow First Responders Early Access to Medicare
Cincinnati, OH – Today, Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH-01) and Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) introduced bicameral legislation to allow first responders who retire or leave service early to buy into Medicare.
Many first responders retire early due to the physical nature of their jobs, leaving them without quality, affordable, and flexible healthcare options until they are eligible for Medicare beginning at age 65.
Congressman Landsman and Senator Gallego introduced the Expanding Health Care Options for First Responders Act. The legislation would allow first responders – including police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical service personnel – ages 50 to 64 who retire early or separate from service due to disability the option to buy into Medicare.
Senator Gallego joined Congressman Landsman in introducing the Expanding Health Care Options for First Responders Act in the Senate.
The national Fraternal Order of Police, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the Ohio Association of Professional Firefighters, and Cincinnati Fire Fighters Union Local 48
have endorsed the bill.
Congressman Landsman:
“Most first responders retire before 65 and face uncertainty about how they’ll access quality healthcare, despite all their sacrifices. After everything they did to keep our communities safe, it’s only right we make sure they get the proper care they deserve.”
Senator Gallego:
“First responders put their lives on the line to protect our communities, and that takes an immense toll on their physical health. They deserve access to high-quality health care both when they’re on the job and when they retire. Lowering the Medicare enrollment age for first responders will help them get the care they’ve earned and make it easier to recruit and retain the people who keep our communities safe.”
Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police:
“Law enforcement is a physically demanding profession that also takes a toll on our mental health. Given the physical demands of the job, our members often retire earlier than other professions. In fact, many agencies have mandatory retirement ages. As a result, these retired officers often lose their employer provided health insurance upon or shortly after their retirement – a time when they are years away from being eligible for Medicare – meaning they must personally shoulder the considerable cost of healthcare either out-of-pocket or through the purchase of expensive private insurance plans. This legislation addresses this issue by allowing law enforcement and other public safety professionals the option to buy into Medicare at the age of 50. For our members, it’s common sense.”
Jon Harvey, Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters President:
“The Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters (OAPFF) proudly supports the Expanding Health Care Options for First Responders Act. Fire fighters, police officers, and emergency medical personnel dedicate their lives to protecting and serving their communities, often at great personal risk. Because of the physically demanding nature of our work, many first responders are required to retire earlier than most public employees – often well before they reach Medicare eligibility at age 65. This leaves too many of our brothers and sisters facing gaps in health care coverage during retirement, despite a lifetime of service. The OAPFF commends Representative Landsman and Senator Gallego for their leadership and commitment to the men and women who serve on the front lines. We urge Congress to act swiftly to pass this important legislation and protect the health and dignity of America’s first responders.”
Read the full bill text here.
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