To the editor:
There is currently a piece of legislation working its way through the Minnesota Legislature that will drastically cut benefits for law enforcement and firefighters that were injured in the line of duty. S.F. 2884/H.F. 1889, as written, will remove health care continuation for first responders that have been injured while performing their official duties after only five years. Perhaps the most alarming aspect of this bill is its complete denial of employer-paid health coverage for officers injured at or after age 55 – no matter how severe, permanent, or life- altering the injury. An individual that has dedicated their life to service would be abandoned simply because of their age at the time of their injury.
What message does this legislation tell our first responders currently serving their community, or those that are considering a career in public safety? It would seem that those at the Capitol are willing to turn their backs on the men and women that run towards danger; the people that show up when you need them most. Is this the message that we as Minnesotans want to send to those that protect our communities? This bill, as proposed, reverses years of progress that has been made to provide a safety net to those injured on duty and unable to return to public safety.
This portion of the legislation was written in the shadows, with no committee meetings or public input. I encourage all of you to please take action and contact your representatives to voice your opposition to this bill and protect the men and women that signed up to protect you.
Anthony Golden
Medically retired police officer
Alexandria, MN
The Trust Project
