President’s visit to the Waldo Canyon fire in Colorado Springs
The Denver Post is reporting that President Obama has directed that federal agencies offer seasonal firefighters the opportunity to purchase health insurance. The President talked with firefighters when he visited the Waldo Canyon Fire at Colorado Springs on June 29 and stuck around to sign autographs for them after he made a statement for the media.
The issue of health insurance for seasonal firefighters has been getting increasing press coverage since some of them created an on-line petition which as been “signed” over 126,000 times. We covered it initially on May 24, and then NBC national news did a story on it recently. Local news outlets around the west have also given it some attention.
Some people thought a new law would have to be passed by Congress in order for firefighters to have the opportunity to purchase health insurance, but apparently the President is bypassing Congress to make it happen.
This will have a major effect on the budgets of the five large land management agencies, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out, including reactions from other seasonal employees in the federal government.
But, congratulations, wildland firefighters, and especially those who started the petition and brought this before the public. You deserve it!
Thanks go out to Ken
This is LONG overdue. Hopefully it will be a shared cost with the agency. Agencies have fought this idea for years.
I foresee a reduced seasonal workforce. I am anxious to see how it shakes out once the bean counters get ahold of the moneybag. A big “way to go” to everyone who signed the petition.
The lack of health insurance is the only reason I took a perm. Cobra coverage and Crohns disease both got old quick.
I am extremely happy that our temp fire fighters will have the opportunity to have health insurance. However this could end up having long term consequences on overall budgets.Other temp employees are going to say their jobs are dangerous also. Wilderness rangers working with pack animals could get kicked in the head by an unruly mule, kayack rangers in Alaska could get killed by a whale, timber folks working around noxious fumes from marking paint, temp IRS people have had planes flown into their offices, and I could think of many more but you get the picture. Anyhow this is good news!
I am afraid that this is a “looks good on paper; not so good in reality” action for political purposes…. RATHER THAN doing what is right for the employees.
My sources say that President Obama is directing a regulatory change (rules change) to 5 C.F.R. 316 to allow temporary wildland firefighters to be eligible for FEHBP benefits under the “Eligibility to Enroll at Own Cost” provision.
Under this provision, temporary/seasonal wildland firefighters would be “eligible” for coverage under the FEHBP, but RESPONSIBLE for 100% of the costs. They are currently in-eligible. See: http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/reference/handbook/fehb06.asp#tempemploy
In order for temporary/seasonal wildland firefighters to be eligible for benefits like career employees receive, it would take CONGRESSIONAL ACTION to amend 5 U.S.C. 8906 (Federal law) to allow matching Federal contributions AND eligibility.
Casey Judd (FWFSA) and Mark Davis (NFFE) should be commended for focusing on the REAL FIX needed… the change of 5 USC to allow seasonal/temporary wildland firefighters as FULLY ELIGIBLE under the FEHBP.
I don’t know of any federal wildland firefighter (temporary/seasonal/career/retired/etc) that could afford paying 100% of the FEHBP rates.
IMHO.
P.S. – Trivia Question: Who is the largest employer in the U.S. that doesn’t offer health benefits to a large segment of its workforce?
Political purposes? Really? You think the president is banking on gaining support from 8,000 seasonal firefighters most of whom live in western states that are solidly red or blue already?
Perhaps the President is simply doing a good thing. Not the perfect or the best thing, but a good thing. Better than any of our so-called “leaders” inside of any of the agencies have ever openly supported.
Next step: permanent status for ALL seasonal staff. Set a trigger of 24 months service and make the conversion.
Also, Walmart is the answer to your trivia question.
A step in the right direction for all seasonals! I hope the agencies don’t hunt up a way out of this.
A well-deserved benefit and I commend the folks who worked on this. I wonder if Obama would bypass Congress and award B.S.O.P. benefits to the surviving wives and families of air tanker pilots who lost their lives flying fire.
Sounds like a pre-election promise that will be forgotten in mid November.
We will see if the “Promises” are really under the CFR’s and USC
LOOOOOONG…. like 100 yrs….tooooo late
The agencies surely will balk….claiming something or another. You can bet they will hunt their way out of this.
I applaud all the folks that signed for it….it is 106 yrs late to congratulate the USFS or any other LMA over this.
Like the airtanker program…..NATO…No Action..Talk Only!
Congrulation, Wilefire Fighters, i’m so happy for you.
Everyone is entitle to Healthcare Insurance.