2022: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against The Federal Firefighters
Fairness Act Of 2022. In May 2022, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against the adoption of "the rule (H Res
1097) that would provide for floor consideration of [...] the Federal
Firefighters Fairness Act (HR 2499)." The vote was on the adoption of
the rule. The House adopted the rule by a vote of 217-202. [House Vote
144, 5/10/22;
Congressional Quarterly,
5/10/22; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
2499;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
1097]
2022: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against The Federal Firefighters
Fairness Act Of 2022. In May 2022, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against the "motion to order the previous
question (thus limiting debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule
(H Res 1097) that would provide for floor consideration of [...] the
Federal Firefighters Fairness Act (HR 2499)." The vote was on a motion
to order the previous question. The House agreed to the motion by a vote
of 218-203. [House Vote 143,
5/10/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/10/22;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2499;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
1097]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Establish A Presumption Of Employment As A
Proximate Cause For Federal Firefighters Diagnosed With Certain Chronic
Diseases, Cancers And Strokes In Relation To Their Eligibility For
Federal Workers' Compensation. In May 2022, according to Congressional
Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act
of 2022, which would "establish a presumption of employment as a
proximate cause for certain diseases contracted by federal fire
protection employees, with respect to their eligibility for federal
workers' compensation benefits. Specifically, it would establish the
presumption with respect to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; a
sudden cardiac event or stroke within 24 hours of being engaged in fire
protection or emergency response duties; and 14 specified types of
cancer, including brain cancer, lung cancer, leukemia and mesothelioma."
The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 288-131,
thus the bill was sent to the Senate. [House Vote 149,
5/11/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/11/22;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2499]
The Bill Would Require The Labor Department To Periodically
Evaluate The List Of Diseases And Add Diseases To The List By Rule
Upon Petition Or Determination That Were Was A Significant Risk For
Firefighters To Develop Such Illness. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "It would require the Labor Department, in consultation
with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, to
periodically review the list of diseases and add a disease to the
list by rule upon a petition or determination by the department that
there is 'significant risk' to firefighters of developing the
disease based on the best available scientific evidence."
[Congressional Quarterly,
5/11/22]
The Bill Would Create A Petition Process For The Addition Of A
Disease And Require The Labor Department To Evaluate And Either
Approve Or Deny Such Petitions Within 18 Months. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "It would establish a process for
individuals to petition for the addition of a disease and require
the department to substantively evaluate and either grant or deny
such petitions within 18 months of receipt." [Congressional
Quarterly, 5/11/22]
The Bill Would Require The Labor Department To Examine Whether To
Add Breast Cancer, Gynecologic Cancer Or Rhabdomyolysis To The
List. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It would require the
department, within three years, to evaluate and determine whether to
add breast cancer, gynecologic cancer or rhabdomyolysis to the
list." [Congressional Quarterly,
5/11/22]
The Bill Would Establish A Process For Firefighters Who Were
Filing A Claim To Voluntarily Enroll In The National Firefighter
Registry Or A Similar Public Health Initiative Conducted By The
CDC. According to Congressional Quarterly, "It would also require
the Labor Department to establish a process by which firefighters
filing a claim related to a disease on the bill's list may
voluntarily enroll in the National Firefighter Registry or a similar
research or public health initiative conducted by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention." [Congressional Quarterly,
5/11/22]
The Bill Would Expand Health Care Access For Federal Firefighters,
Including Paramedics, Ambulance Drivers And Hazardous Materials
Workers Who Developed Chronic Illnesses Like Strokes And Cancer.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "The House passed a bill
Wednesday to expand health care access for federal firefighters,
sending the legislation to the Senate at the start of what is
expected to be an unusually active wildfire season. Members voted
288-131 to advance a bill (HR 2499) to expand health care access for
federal firefighters and other federally employed first responders
like paramedics, ambulance drivers and hazardous materials workers
who develop serious ailments such as strokes or cancer."
[Congressional Quarterly,
5/11/22]
The Bill Would Establish A Legal Presumption For Federal
Firefighters Linking Their Duties To Their Chronic Illnesses And
Such Presumption Would Facilitate Their Ability To Obtain Workers'
Compensation And Health Care Access. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "The House-passed legislation would establish a legal
presumption for federal firefighters linking their employment to
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a sudden cardiac event or
stroke within a day for fire protection activities, and 14 types of
cancer. That presumption would make it easier to get workers'
compensation and medical treatment." [Congressional Quarterly,
5/11/22]
2022: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Replace The
Bill With Language That Would Establish A Firefighter Special Claims
Unit And Require A Governmental Accountability Office Report On Health
Care Benefits And Treatments Provided To Federal Firefighters Worth
Certain Cancers And Medical Conditions. In May 2022, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted against the Republican
substitute amendment to the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2022,
which would "replace the bill's provisions with language to establish
within the Labor Department Office of Workers' Compensation Programs a
firefighter special claims unit. It would require the Government
Accountability Office to report to Congress on the health care benefits
and treatment provided to federal firefighters with certain cancers and
other medical conditions, including a description of barriers to the
delivery of health care; an evaluation of approved and denied claims;
and a description of the standard used to determine causation of
condition with respect to claims." The vote was on the adoption of an
amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 180-242.
[House Vote 148,
5/11/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 5/11/22;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
196;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
2499]