By FireRescue1 Staff
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The governor of Missouri said he is endorsing a bill that would give first responders access to workers’ comp for illnesses such as cancer and high blood pressure.
Insurance Journal reported that Gov. Eric Greitens visited the St. Louis Fire Academy, where he said lawmakers should make it easier for first responders to receive the benefits they need by approving the bill by Rep. Nick Schroer.
“If, God forbid, there’s a situation where they have to fight cancer, they shouldn’t have to fight bureaucrats to get the care they deserve,” Gov. Greitens said in a Facebook video.
Margie Griffin, whose firefighter husband died of cancer, urged lawmakers to “please, please support this bill.”
Lawmakers will begin their session in January, and officials said the issue will likely gain traction, due to a shift in the Republican party, to support first responder benefit increases.
“If anybody deserves a hard look at figuring out how we can protect them even more, it’s our first responders,” Schroer said.
https://www.facebook.com/IAFFonline/videos/1544726765563443/