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Pennsylvania Governor Vetoes Firefighter Cancer Bill
WTFX
Reprinted with Permission
PHILADELPHIA - Gov. Edward G. Rendell’s veto of a bill designed to give firefighters expanded workers' compensation coverage if they had been diagnosed with certain cancers before or within five years of retirement has drawn a stiff rebuke from a city union official.
Bill Gault, president of the Local 22 of the International Association of Firefighters, said the union would work to override the veto, and said the present situation forces firefighters to “jump through countless hoops of mental and fiscal anguish that is not necessary,” and expressed optimism the state legislature might still enact the measure.
“It’s tragic. It’s unfortunate. If we don’t get it done with this one, we’ll get it done with the next one. We’re never going to stop. We’re firemen. We’re never going to give up,” said Gault Saturday after learning of the veto.
Primarily citing the costs associated with the bill, which has been called the "Cancer Presumption Bill," Rendell outlined his opposition to it in a statement released to the media Saturday.
"This legislation threatens public safety by raising the specter of cuts to essential services, or of forcing local governments to raise property taxes at the same time that Pennsylvania families are struggling economically,” said Rendell.
The bill would have made employers prove that a firefighter’s cancer was not work-related. Rendell noted that attempts to change the language of the bill that would have made it easier for municipalities to deny expanded workers' compensation cancer coverage for firefighters who developed the disease from factors that were not related to their occupation had failed.
The governor also mentioned the current protections for firefighters in his statement.
“It is important to note our firefighters already have substantial protection if their work exposed them to the risks of lung cancer - which science has shown is directly linked to many of the carcinogens they are exposed to in firefighting,” said Rendell.
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter was among a number of mayors to have sent a letter to the governor urging a veto of the bill.
Reprinted with Permission
PHILADELPHIA - Gov. Edward G. Rendell’s veto of a bill designed to give firefighters expanded workers' compensation coverage if they had been diagnosed with certain cancers before or within five years of retirement has drawn a stiff rebuke from a city union official.
Bill Gault, president of the Local 22 of the International Association of Firefighters, said the union would work to override the veto, and said the present situation forces firefighters to “jump through countless hoops of mental and fiscal anguish that is not necessary,” and expressed optimism the state legislature might still enact the measure.
“It’s tragic. It’s unfortunate. If we don’t get it done with this one, we’ll get it done with the next one. We’re never going to stop. We’re firemen. We’re never going to give up,” said Gault Saturday after learning of the veto.
Primarily citing the costs associated with the bill, which has been called the "Cancer Presumption Bill," Rendell outlined his opposition to it in a statement released to the media Saturday.
"This legislation threatens public safety by raising the specter of cuts to essential services, or of forcing local governments to raise property taxes at the same time that Pennsylvania families are struggling economically,” said Rendell.
The bill would have made employers prove that a firefighter’s cancer was not work-related. Rendell noted that attempts to change the language of the bill that would have made it easier for municipalities to deny expanded workers' compensation cancer coverage for firefighters who developed the disease from factors that were not related to their occupation had failed.
The governor also mentioned the current protections for firefighters in his statement.
“It is important to note our firefighters already have substantial protection if their work exposed them to the risks of lung cancer - which science has shown is directly linked to many of the carcinogens they are exposed to in firefighting,” said Rendell.
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter was among a number of mayors to have sent a letter to the governor urging a veto of the bill.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by FETC on
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“It is important to note our firefighters already have substantial protection if their work exposed them to the risks of lung cancer - which science has shown is directly linked to many of the carcinogens they are exposed to in firefighting,” said Rendell.
What protection is the Governor talking about? "Risks" in the term means potential exposure not an actual diagnosis. He just veto'd the protection bill that would make it job related?
Top quality SCBA has reduced the "risks" of lung cancer, (if worn appropriately) by the end user. But can someone explain why testicular, colon and prostrate cancer is so high in the fire service???
Well here is my guess, because our PPE hasn't been able to shield us from the hazmat chemicals contained in the smoke and toxic gases and that routine fire is not considered a chemical exposure or even documented today.
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Permalink Reply by Gregory Borg on
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More political work to be done next session.
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