Congressman Crow Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen VA Health Benefits for Veteran Firefighters
WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06), a former Army Ranger who served three combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, has introduced new bipartisan legislation to strengthen health care benefits for veteran firefighters.
Studies have shown that firefighters, as a result of their career, are more likely to suffer from certain illnesses, including higher rates of cancer. However, the VA currently does not recognize the direct connection between military firefighting and higher rates of illness incidence beyond one year following active duty, resulting in denials of VA health care claims.
Congressman Crow’s Michael Lecik Military Firefighters Protection Act would create the presumption that military veteran firefighters who become disabled by serious disease – including heart disease, lung disease, and certain types of cancer – contracted the illness due to their service in the military, allowing them to be approved for VA health care.
The legislation was also introduced by Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE-02).
“I know from my days as an Army Ranger that military firefighters protect the safety of everybody in our ranks,” said Congressman Crow. “Too many of our military firefighters have been denied VA health care for conditions connected to their service, and that’s unacceptable. That’s why I’m introducing bipartisan legislation that expands their access to the care they deserve.”
“After nearly 30 years in the Air Force, I’ve witnessed hundreds of heroic military firefighters who put their own lives on the line by carrying us out of burning buildings or jets and exposing themselves to toxic substances and deadly fumes,” said Congressman Bacon. “Creating the presumption that those who become disabled from serious disease contracted the illness while serving in the military allows the VA to treat thousands of military firefighters that would normally not be covered. This bill changes that. I fully support this mission, and I will continue to work with Rep. Crow to not only get this over the finish line, but to honor the life of former USAF firefighter, Michael Lecik, to which this bill is named after."
The legislation is named in honor of Michael Lecik, a U.S. Air Force firefighter who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2019. Lecik filed a claim with the VA, which was ultimately rejected. He passed away in 2021 at the age of 39.
As an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, ensuring America’s military servicemembers and their families get the appropriate care and resources is a top priority for Congressman Crow. In the 117th Congress, he introduced the Justice Involved Veterans Support Act and supported the PACT Act, which expands health care to millions of servicemembers exposed to toxic chemicals. Congressman Crow also supported the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act, which expands health care to federal firefighters who become disabled by serious disease.
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