Rep. Payne, Jr. Votes to Provide Expanded Health Benefits for Federal Firefighters

Media Contact: Patrick Wright -- Patrick.Wright@mail.house.gov

Washington, D.C. — Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. helped pass the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2022 today. The bill (H.R. 2499) improves access to injury and illness benefits for federal firefighters who develop life-threatening illnesses from their work. Currently, federal firefighters with a certain amount of experience receive benefits for immediate injuries suffered on the job. But many firefighters develop long-term health problems and chronic conditions after years of exposure to chemicals that can occur during major fires, such as diesel emissions and carbon monoxide.

Unfortunately, the Federal Employees' Compensation Act provides wage-loss compensation, medical treatment, return-to-work assistance and rehabilitation coverage only to federal employees who are injured, develop an illness, or killed in work-related hazards. This bill provides health benefits to federal firefighters for a list of diseases that will be considered work-related illnesses, even if they occur years after a firefighter's service. Federal firefighters must have at least five years of fire protection employment to be eligible. The list of newly-covered diseases includes brain cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

"As first responders, firefighters play a critical role in the protection and safety of our communities," said Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. "Right now, there are 49 states with worker's compensation programs that provide firefighters with health benefits for a wide-range of illnesses that develop later in life based on their dangerous work. Now, we need to extend these benefits to the 15,000 federal firefighters who keep our nation safe and protect us from harm. Federal firefighters deserve the same protections we provide for firefighters at the state and local levels."

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