In response to the story a South Puget Sound firefighter who was catastrophically injured in the line of duty, Representative Roger Freeman (D-Federal Way) has introduced legislation to ensure those who protect and serve our citizens are taken care of after a tragedy.
“These men and women put their lives and livelihood on the line every day. When they sacrifice one or both to keep our society safe, we have an obligation to care for them and their families,” said Freeman.
While responding to a rollover accident on I-5 in 2011, local firefighter Wynn Loiland was struck by an out of control car. He was left permanently disabled and is still receiving medical treatment. However, Loiland is fast approaching the coverage limits of his insurance and will soon be forced to go without care.
Representative Freeman’s legislation would ensure that police officers and firefighters who are permanently disabled in the line of duty receive any necessary ongoing medical treatment.
“Whether it’s running into burning buildings to save lives, putting out fires or responding to a serious accident, our members put their lives on the line to save others.” said Kelly Fox, President of the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters, “We appreciate Representative Freeman sponsoring this legislation which allows members of our retirement system to help provide health insurance to someone who did just that, and paid the price by being catastrophically disabled.”
The bill would expand eligibility for reimbursement of medical insurance premium costs for members of the Law Enforcement Officers’ and Fire Fighters’ Retirement System (LEOFF) Plan 2. These changes would ensure that Loiland continues to receive medical treatment, which will expire at the end of 2013.
Had Loiland been killed in the line of duty, the pension plan would have paid for his family’s health insurance coverage, Fox noted. “Thankfully Wynn Loiland did not die in the line of duty, but nobody should have to die in order keep their family protected with health insurance.”
“Wynn Loiland served the State of Washington faithfully for 31 years, and what happened to him is the definition of a tragedy,” said Freeman. “Ignoring our responsibility to care for him now would be as devastating as it is preventable.”
The bill, HB 1868, passed unanimously out of committee last week and is awaiting a floor vote in the House of Representatives.