Senate bill S4617

[FASNY Mutual Aid]

Fellow Members of FASNY:

I am pleased to tell you that earlier this week, the New York State Legislature passed a key piece of legislation initiated and strongly backed by FASNY – one that makes the 100,000 volunteer firefighters and 30,000 volunteer EMS personnel statewide eligible to purchase low-cost health insurance using their own funds.

This bill marks the latest step FASNY has taken toward addressing the dual challenges of recruitment and retention. The health insurance bills, formally known as Assembly bill A7699 (sponsored by Assembly Member RoAnn Destito) and Senate bill S4617 (sponsored by Senator James Seward), now go to the Governor’s desk to be signed.

Allowing potential and existing volunteers the opportunity to buy the same insurance coverage as their municipal counterparts will serve as a strong incentive for these men and women to join – and, more importantly, stay with – their local fire departments. This in turn will keep our communities stronger and safer. It should also be noted that this new law will not cost the state or local governments anything, since volunteers would be using their own funds to purchase coverage.

FASNY strongly believes that Governor Paterson will do the right thing and sign the bill into law.

“Volunteer firefighters are critical to public health and safety,” said Assembly Member Destito. “New York State and local governments should recognize and reward the critical role emergency service volunteers play in the community by granting them the option of joining the same low-cost health care plans municipal employees are allowed to join.”

We urge the membership of FASNY to let Governor Paterson know how important this bill is to the volunteer fire service and to the communities we serve. Please call the Governor’s Office at (518) 474-8390 or visit www.ny.gov/governor/contact/index.html to send him an email. Together, we can ensure that this important bill is signed into law.

[This Ones For Us]

Fellow Firefighters
I am pleased to tell you that earlier this week, the New York State Legislature passed a key piece of legislation initiated and strongly backed by FASNY – one that makes the 100,000 volunteer firefighters and 30,000 volunteer EMS personnel statewide eligible to purchase low-cost health insurance using their own funds.

This bill marks the latest step FASNY has taken toward addressing the dual challenges of recruitment and retention. The health insurance bills, formally known as Assembly bill A7699 (sponsored by Assembly Member RoAnn Destito) and Senate bill S4617 (sponsored by Senator James Seward), now go to the Governor’s desk to be signed.

Allowing potential and existing volunteers the opportunity to buy the same insurance coverage as their municipal counterparts will serve as a strong incentive for these men and women to join – and, more importantly, stay with – their local fire departments. This in turn will keep our communities stronger and safer. It should also be noted that this new law will not cost the state or local governments anything, since volunteers would be using their own funds to purchase coverage.

FASNY strongly believes that Governor Paterson will do the right thing and sign the bill into law.

“Volunteer firefighters are critical to public health and safety,” said Assembly Member Destito. “New York State and local governments should recognize and reward the critical role emergency service volunteers play in the community by granting them the option of joining the same low-cost health care plans municipal employees are allowed to join.”

We urge the membership of FASNY to let Governor Paterson know how important this bill is to the volunteer fire service and to the communities we serve. Please call the Governor’s Office at (518) 474-8390 or visit www.ny.gov/governor/contact/index.html to send him an email. Together, we can ensure that this important bill is signed into law.

[Contact Now]

Don't let this pass you by. Contact the Gov's Offcie and urge him to sign.

[Unregistered E-Mail]

Don't let this pass you by. Contact the Gov's Offcie and urge him to sign.

E-MAIL HIM NOW IT WILL TAKE 5 MINUTES

[Unregistered 2635]

E-MAIL HIM NOW IT WILL TAKE 5 MINUTES

Come On Folks this is for us. 100,000 visit a site about some FD personal problems and none of you are willing to help yourselves.

[Unregisteredfact]

Come On Folks this is for us. 100,000 visit a site about some FD personal problems and none of you are willing to help yourselves.

Not against them, serve and have served them in executive postions. But put two of them in a sealed closet with three stainless steel ball bearings. Open the door in twenty minutes, one bearing will be lost, another broken and the the third square some how. Amd nobody will tell you how it happened.

Not a bash, not against the guys and gals, just have the experience.

It's up to the Chief's to push them to email and make this happen. Make it a drill.

[Unregistered 2635]

Not against them, serve and have served them in executive postions. But put two of them in a sealed closet with three stainless steel ball bearings. Open the door in twenty minutes, one bearing will be lost, another broken and the the third square some how. Amd nobody will tell you how it happened.

Not a bash, not against the guys and gals, just have the experience.

It's up to the Chief's to push them to email and make this happen. Make it a drill.

Thanks I needed that laugh, you're so right.

[Tru Dat]

Not against them, serve and have served them in executive postions. But put two of them in a sealed closet with three stainless steel ball bearings. Open the door in twenty minutes, one bearing will be lost, another broken and the the third square some how. Amd nobody will tell you how it happened.

Not a bash, not against the guys and gals, just have the experience.

It's up to the Chief's to push them to email and make this happen. Make it a drill.

That is one of the funniest things I've heard in awhile, I'm just sorry that your also accurate...

[UnregisteredfactII]

Not bashing the vollies only. The ball bearing thing was taught to me by a paid Lt.. It's part of the Command Operation course if anybody actually listened during the class at the rock... JAG any comment?

[Unregistered Comment]

Not bashing the vollies only. The ball bearing thing was taught to me by a paid Lt.. It's part of the Command Operation course if anybody actually listened during the class at the rock... JAG any comment?

yeah heres a comment JAG is a pompus asshole union stooge

[Simply Note]

E-Mail the GOV and tell him to send us some LOVE

Please call the Governor’s Office at (518) 474-8390 or visit www.ny.gov/governor/contact/index.html to send him an email. Together, we can ensure that this important bill is signed into law.

[Request for Mutual Aid]

There is a potential for a Governor's veto of Assembly Bill A7699A, which is FASNY-supported legislation to provide low cost health insurance for volunteer firefighters and EMS responders.

Please call (518) 474-8390 and ask for the Governor's Office to express your support, or go to Governor David Paterson's website,

www.state.ny.us/governor

and click on "Contact the Governor" to submit comments in favor of this important legislation.

FOLKS PLEASE CONTACT THE GOVERNOR. ASK FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHO LIVE IN NYS TO CONTACT HIM. THIS IS FOR US. IT'S NOT UNLIKE WHEN THEY APPROVED LOSAP, BUT THIS TIME WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO PUSH FOLKS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE THAT REALIZE THAT WE'RE WORTH SOMETHING LIKE THIS, PLEASE TAKE 5 MINUTES TO CONVINCE THE GOVERNOR OF THE SAME THING.

SOME OF US ALREADY HAVE AFFORDABLE QUALITY INSURANCE, BUT MANY OF OUR FELLOW FIREFIGTHERS DO NOT. IT'S ABOUT MEMBERS OF ALL AGE GROUPS. LOOK I HAVE ALREADY CONTACTED HIM BY E-MAIL IT TAKES 5 MINUTES TOPS TO LOG ONTO THE SITE AND SEND HIM A NOTE ASKING HIM TO PASS THE BILL. THIS IS UNFORTUNATELY HOW IT'S DONE. WE HAVE TO LOBBY FOR OURSELVES. EVERY E-MAIL HE GETS IN SUPPORT OF THIS BILL REPRESNTS A POTENTIAL ELECTION VOTE TO HIM. LET'S SHOW FOLKS THAT WE VOLUNTEERS HAVE A VOICE AND WE WANT TO BE HEARD.


IN CASE YOU DON'T KNOW HERE IS WHAT THE BILL COVERS:

HEALTH INSURANCE INITIATIVE

Scorecard Bill: Health Insurance Initiative

Bill Numbers:
Senate Bill Number: S.4617-A
Assembly Bill Number: A.7699-A

Bill Sponsors:
Senator James Seward (R – Cortland, Greene, Herkimer, Otsego, and Schoharie Counties and portions of Chenango and Tompkins Counties)

Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito (D – Oneida County)

Purpose of Bill:
To establish a volunteer firefighter and ambulance worker health insurance program in order to assist with the recruitment and retention of volunteers.

Analysis:
The number of volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers in New York state is declining rapidly. At the same time, the call volume for fire and emergency services has increased. In order to maintain a satisfactory level of fire protection service, additional incentives are required to retain existing volunteers and recruit new volunteers. Because the cost of health insurance is so high for volunteers, access to lower cost health insurance is one such incentive.

Typically, the cost of health insurance in a municipality’s health insurance program is much less expensive than the cost of health insurance that a volunteer is able to obtain in the private market. Unfortunately, under current law, volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers are not authorized to participate in the health insurance program offered by the volunteer’s municipality. Consequently, many volunteers remain uninsured simply because the cost of health insurance coverage is too high.

To solve this problem, this bill amends §92-a of the NYS General Municipal Law. Section 92-a of the NYS General Municipal Law authorizes local governments to provide health insurance for certain municipal personnel. Specifically, this bill adds a new paragraph to §92-a that authorizes the participation of volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers in these health insurance coverage plans. Under this bill, coverage would be made available to a volunteer and his or her family. Payment for the health insurance coverage would be the responsibility of the volunteer.

Since the cost of coverage in a municipality’s health insurance program is less expensive than in the private market, this legislation will provide an affordable health insurance option to the volunteer firefighter and ambulance worker. The availability of affordable health insurance coverage will entice existing volunteers to remain active and it will attract new and younger recruits.

Background/History:
According to the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), the number of volunteers in the United States has dropped over 10% in the last 20 years. This trend is even worse in New York. According to the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC), there are now less than 100,000 volunteer firefighters in the state – this represents a decline of nearly 20% in the last 10 years. The number of volunteer ambulance workers is also declining at a similar rate. These figures are even more troubling with the realization that fire protection for most of New York’s geographic area is provided by the volunteer fire service.

In response to the declining number of volunteers, an emphasis has been placed on volunteer recruitment and retention. Various studies have concluded that more incentives are required in order to maintain (and preferably increase) the number of volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers. Because the cost of health insurance is high and continues to rise, access to lower cost health insurance for volunteers is often considered by government decision makers as a possible solution.

Here in New York, the NYS Legislature has been contemplating the possibility of health insurance for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers for several years. In fact, in 2004 a new law was enacted that established a task force to examine the effectiveness of using health insurance benefits as a method of volunteer recruitment. The task force was required to make recommendations on this issue, but has not yet released its report. In the meantime, the NYS Legislature has continued to examine the issue. As a result, S.4617-A/A.7699-A was introduced to address the on-going recruitment and retention problem.

In the 2007 Legislative Session, this bill advanced to the calendar in the Senate but remained in the Insurance Committee in the Assembly.

Key Points:
1. Most fire protection service in NYS is provided by volunteer firefighters. However, the number of volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers in NYS is declining - and the call volume is increasing.

2. Many volunteers do not have access to affordable health insurance coverage. This may be because the volunteer’s employer does not offer a health insurance benefit, or because of the volunteer’s status as a student or a part-time employee, or because of other reasons. Access to lower cost health insurance will help maintain and attract volunteers.

3. The average age of volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers is getting higher. New incentives are needed in order to attract younger recruits. Since many students do not have health insurance coverage, access to affordable coverage would be a viable approach to attracting the younger volunteer.

4. The approach to providing health insurance coverage proposed in this legislation already exists for others in their respective communities. Section 92-a of the NYS General Municipal Law already authorizes health insurance coverage for active and retired employees and officers of the municipality. Section 92-a also authorizes coverage for active and former school board members. Much like these individuals, volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers are integral parts of their respective communities and provide valuable services. Volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers should be able to participate in these health insurance programs as well.

5. Under this legislation the cost of the volunteer’s participation in the municipality’s health insurance plan would be the responsibility of the volunteer. Therefore, there are no negative financial implications to the municipality or the State.

[Help 2008]

Help Yourselves

[YEAH BABY 2008]

A7699a Sponsored by Senator James Seward and Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito which provides the opportunity for volunteer fire and EMS responders to purchase low cost health insurance at the leveraged purchase rates paid by local governments was signed into law today by New York Governor David Paterson.

The new law is effective at the end of January, 2009. FASNY will be coordinating with the Governor's office, the Legislature and local government advocates to develop protocols as to how volunteer responders can arrange for this benefit through their Towns, Villages and Fire Districts. There may be interaction with the New York State Health Insurance Plan to accomplish this.

FASNY will continue to report on this as arrangements are made and a seminar is planned for FASNY's October Legislative Meeting. FASNY leadership wishes to thank the many members who wrote and made calls in support of the legislation. This was key in encouraging the Governor to sign this landmark legislation.

[Unregisteredxoxo]

Awesome

[UnregisteredXXX]

Pay Attention

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