HELENA, Mont. (NMB) – Firefighters with conditions like cancer, heart disease and post-traumatic stress disorder could have their treatment covered by worker’s compensation insurance under a new bill in the Montana Legislature.
Tim Pierce with the UM Legislative News Service reports that President of the Montana Fire Chiefs Association Rich Cowger says firefighters face many hazards and should be covered for illnesses that might come with the job.
“‘Workers’ comp’ is designed to fight against catastrophic injuries. A heart attack is a catastrophic injury. A diagnosis of cancer is a catastrophic injury.”
Senator Nate McConnell from Missoula is sponsoring Senate Bill 160. Opponents of the bill say new claims would cause insurance rates to rise. Larry Jones with the Montana Self Insurers’ Association says it would be difficult for insurers to refute claims.
“How does an insurance company disprove a presumptive illness claim? All the evidence has been destroyed.”
The Senate Business, Labor and Economics Committee heard the bill Tuesday and did not immediately take a vote.
