Associated Press
Firefighters in Colorado.
I was surprised to learn two weeks ago that federal firefighters, including many combating brutal wildfires in Colorado, are considered temporary employees who are ineligible for health care coverage through the Forest Service. They're working incredibly dangerous jobs under life-threatening conditions, but many go without insurance.
President Obama is poised to change that. The Denver Post reported yesterday on a shift in administration policy.
President Barack Obama has directed federal officials to offer seasonal firefighters the option of purchasing federal health insurance coverage, White House officials told The Denver Post Tuesday.
On a recent trip to Colorado Springs, the president was apparently moved by the men and women firefighters he met, senior administration officials said in an interview Tuesday. When he returned to Washington, he told his cabinet that he wanted to "find a solution" for the hundreds of workers toiling in dangerous conditions without the option to buy in to federal insurance.
Some of the details are still coming together -- it's unclear how long the temporary firefighters, many of whom take other jobs during the winter, will qualify -- but it appears to be a huge step forward. The administration's Office of Personnel Management is expected to present the specifics within a week, though if I had to guess, I'd say the move will probably involve directing the Forest Service to reclassify temporary firefighters as permanent, thus expanding their benefits eligibility.
Whatever the mechanism, the access to health insurance for these firefighters will begin later this month. I suspect it's highly unlikely Republicans will complain about "another Obama power grab" once the decision is made official, but I suppose one never knows for sure.
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I suspect it's highly unlikely Republicans will complain about "another Obama power grab"
We can only hope .
I was so glad to see that it put a face on, guess what?
Dedicated hard working people who can't get health insurance.
Why is America so stupid and mean?.....
Oh I forgot illness is for profit . We can't make any money off these part time shlumps in high risk jobs.
The government might classify them as temporary workers, but they are better thought of as seasonal workers. Many have worked for the government for years, laid off in the winters.
I know a fair number of those seasonal Forest Service workers, including firefighters. I won't begrudge them a thing, but I will point out that not all of the Forest Service workers are firefighters.
A huge proportion of the Forest Service's workforce is technically temporary, despite in many cases having built a punctuated career and worked their way up through the ranks. These are skilled workers (and management, FYI) who would do even better if they could maintain some continuity instead of starting up, working, shutting down teams, scrambling for other seasonal work, and then repeating. For years.
Disclaimer: the young man who is a candidate for son-in-law is one of those long-term "temporary" managers. My gray head would rest a bit easier if I could count on two sources of health insurance for my hypothetical grandchildren.
I can hear the republican's now.What! Obama want's to give fed.firefighter's access to health insurance? We cant do that,it's bigger government.
Oh, I don't doubt the GOPers will find some way to gin up some fake outrage. It's what they do.
If only there was a way to have affordable health insurance available that is not through the employer........ (day-dreaming ...*sigh* ... *staring into space*) ......
Wouldn't that be terrific?
You could have a summer job and winter job. A part-time job that pays pretty well and other part-time jobs to follow your passion. You would still need to work enough jobs to pay your bills.
You would be free to change jobs without thinking about what it would do to your health insurance. No getting stuck in a job because you have health insurance for your family.
WAIT A MINUTE!!!!
That is what the ACA Exchanges are for!! We just need to get them implemented!!!
This is not a day-dream!!
This is what is coming if we all work together to ... make .... sure ... it ..... works ...... for ....... everyone ............ oh dang ...back to day-dreaming!!
"I suspect it's highly unlikely Republicans will complain about "another Obama power grab""
Of course they will, just wait. How many times must it be said the GOTP care nothing about working Americans, they are only about the 1%, period! WE little people are nothing more than a means of shaking down to further enable the elite to pay fewer taxes and WE get fewer services! The firefighters are to be commended for not just being dedicated to their jobs, but the dangerous work they are doing; all while knowing that if they get injured on the job they are up a creek without a paddle and a leaky boat! I'd like to thank the President for being on the right side of yet another issue - for the people!
Eliminate the age requirement for Medicare.
Don't kid yourselves, the GOP narcissists club will be up in arms at this development. The GOP does not care about folks who are not upper income, priviledged, narcissists. The GOP does not care about these firefighters. The GOP cares about their benefactors in corporate America and on Wall Street, and corporate media is in their pocket because corporate media is beholdin' to corporate America and Wall Street for advertising $$$$$$$$$$$$$. .
Do Republicans seriously think that the people in the states with wildfires are going to listen to the blather? The residents of these states are more likely to stand up for the firefighters. But let the Republicans complain because that will drive people in those states to vote Dem.
Will it really implement this policy .Will it work out correctly!
http://www.medicareindiana.com/