Panel approves bill letting retiring firefighters remain on city health plans until Medicare-eligible

Representative Cameron Cooper presented House Bill 13 13 to the joint committee, saying the bill ensures retired firefighters who are not yet eligible for Medicare may remain on the city health insurance plan from which they retired.

"This ensures that a firefighter who retires but is not yet of the age to qualify for Medicare can stay on the health insurance plan of the city they retired from," Representative Cameron Cooper said. The bill amends Act 535 of Feb. 2023 to add firefighters to the consistency changes made in that act.

Cooper told the committee the city would determine the premium the retiree must pay; he said it is commonly assumed cities will require retirees to pay the full monthly premium, but the statute leaves that calculation to each city. Committee actuary Jody Carrero said the fiscal impact is "immeasurably small," explaining that retirees cost more than active employees but that any rate effect on group plans would be minimal and difficult to measure.

Committee members asked whether the cost would be borne by the city and raised questions about the dollar magnitude of any impact. Cooper said the Municipal League supports the bill and that most cities already offer this option; the bill would ensure consistency across the state.

No public testimony was recorded for or against the bill. Representative Andrews moved for passage and Senator Boyd seconded; the committee approved HB 13 13 by voice vote and the transcript contains no roll-call tally.

The bill passed the committee and will continue through the legislative process.