VOLUNTEER HEALTH INSURANCE LEGISLATION SIGNED INTO LAW
Governor David Paterson has signed into law (Chapter 71) legislation sponsored by Senator Neil Bresllin and Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito that further defines the ability of Volunteer responders to seek less expensive health insurance through the local government entities they serve.
Senate bill 5111 and Assembly bill 8215 further refine the law enacted in 2008 that allows volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers to participate, at their own expense, in health insurance programs offered by the local government entity in the jurisdiction in which the volunteer serves.
The new legislation does not require local government entities to offer the coverage but most who have been approached under the old statute have treated the addition of volunteer firefighters and ambulance personnel much in the same fashion as they would treat a COBRA employee.
Payment for the entire cost of health insurance coverage is the responsibility of the volunteer as is the remittance of premium as required. It is anticipated that this latest set of amendments to the statute will provide volunteers with a series of less expensive alternatives to purchasing coverage on the open market as an individual.
The new amendments also allow for the New York State Health Insurance Plan (NYSHIP) to offer coverage for volunteers through local government entities offering coverage through their plan. Those local government entities were excluded form the 2008 statute but are now allowed to offer coverage in the new legislation.
With the advent of NYSHIP participation it is anticipated that guidelines will be developed to assist local government entities in offering this coverage and to foster a greater understanding of the role and requirements of the municipalities and their Volunteers including the key areas of premium collection, questions regarding multi-jurisdictional coverage areas, and direct coverage opportunities by NYSHIP.
Preliminary discussions between FASNY and NYSHIP indicate the potential for Fire Departments to work directly with NYSHIP, particularly in instances where the local government entity is unable to arrange coverage. This would be done through a resolution offered by the Fire Department and recognized by NYSHIP allowing for the coverage to be developed.
It is reasoned that affordable health insurance will entice existing volunteers to remain active and that it will attract new and younger recruits. “There are 130,000 Volunteer Firefighters and EMS responders out there” said FASNY President Tom Cuff, “ and we fully expect that as this program develops there will be a natural evolution toward multi-department arrangements, county wide NYSHIP contracts, and perhaps even a statewide plan designed for volunteers”. “We look to the future on this one” Cuff concluded.