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Committee hears bill to extend Medicare premium reimbursements to survivors of line‑of‑duty deaths
Summary
House Bill 2,441 would expand reimbursement to survivors of Lehi‑2 members killed in the line of duty to include Medicare Parts A and B premiums and reimburse premiums during the gap between death and official determination; staff estimated about 98 survivors affected and modest fiscal impacts over time.
Committee staff briefed House Bill 2,441, explaining the proposal would expand the retirement fund reimbursement to cover Medicare Parts A and B premiums for eligible survivors and reimburse health insurance premiums for the period between the member’s death and the date a death is determined to be work‑related. Staff said Medicare Part A premiums may range from free to about $500 a month depending on work history, and Part B premiums about $175 a month.
Staff reported approximately 98 survivors could be affected. The state actuary estimated roughly $200,000 in additional reimbursements per biennium with a present value near $5.7 million; the Department of Retirement Systems provided draft figures for about $150,000 in initial administrative setup costs and roughly $107,000 annually thereafter from DRS administrative funds.
Representative Lowe, the prime sponsor, urged support and described a personal connection to line‑of‑duty loss: "I personally lost one of my neighbors, Trooper Sean O'Connell," she said, framing the bill as a modest but necessary benefit for widows and survivors. Jacob White, staff to the Lehi‑2 Board, said the board reviewed survivor letters and endorsed the legislation.
No committee vote was recorded at the hearing; staff analyses and written testimony are on the record.
