The House of Representatives unanimously approved Representative Roger Freeman’s (D-Federal Way) legislation to ensure firefighters and police officers who are catastrophically injured in the line of duty are cared for.
The legislation was spurred by the story of Wynn Loiland, a South Sound firefighter who was struck by an out of control car when responding to a separate incident. He was permanently disabled by the accident and is still receiving treatment, but existing medical coverage will expire at the end of the year.
Freeman highlighted the urgency in his speech. “Wynn will never work again. He will never be able to provide for his family. In passing this bill, you will allow Wynn to continue to have medical coverage.”
Representative Freeman’s legislation would expand eligibility for reimbursement of medical insurance premium costs for members of the Law Enforcement Officers’ and Fire Fighters’ Retirement System Plan 2. This will help ensure that police officers and firefighters who are permanently disabled in the line of duty receive any necessary ongoing medical treatment.
The bill, HB 1868, now goes to the Senate for consideration