Firefighters and police officers in a state-run retirement system may now receive disability and death benefits if they’re diagnosed with any form of cancer. Governor Reynolds has signed the bill expanding state policy that had previously limited those benefits to just 14 types of cancer. Emily Broderick’s late husband was diagnosed with a type of liver cancer that wasn’t on the list, so his co-workers covered his shifts during his cancer treatment.
Joe Van Haalen is the president of the Des Moines Association of Professional Firefighters. He says because of the previous policy, firefighters in the Des Moines department covered an average of 120 shifts for each colleague getting treatment for a type of cancer that wasn’t covered.
Governor Reynolds says the new policy recognizes the selfless service of firefighters and ensures they get the care they deserve.
