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Focus on Retention and Recruitment: Reduced Cost Health Insurance Bill Signed Into Law in NY

Published Date: 10.15.2008

This summer, New York Governor David Patterson signed into law a bill supported by the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) that creates the opportunity for volunteer responders to obtain low-cost health insurance. Effective in January 2009, the new law will make health insurance benefits available to volunteers at a reduced cost and may help aid recruitment shortages in some departments and districts.

Individual volunteers will be able to purchase health insurance with their own funds through a local government entity at the government employee rate. In its current form, the law is broad in defining the logistics of implementation and does not clearly identify the role of the fire company or district, both in terms of interaction and with regard to collecting premiums to be remitted to the local government.

FASNY supported the bill without the intention of making it mandatory for local governments to provide health coverage upon the application of a volunteer. A cooperative effort between the volunteer, the fire department or district, and the appropriate local government entity is essential for the proper implementation of this benefit. FASNY is working with legislators and the governor’s office to develop an alternative plan in case local governments do not want to, or are unable to, offer this coverage.

While this is an excellent benefit for New York’s volunteer first responders, there is still a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the law. FASNY is working on several amendments for the 2009 legislative session to address any outstanding issues and to provide needed clarification. A seminar has been scheduled during FASNY’s Annual October Legislative Conference on October 25 for member education and feedback.

For more information, visit www.fasny.com.

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