(KNSI) — The Minnesota House unanimously passed a bill updating Minnesota’s Hometown Heroes Assistance Program.
In 2021, Rockville area Senator Jeff Howe, who is also a firefighter, crafted the Senate version of the bill, bringing the program to life. It is meant to assist firefighters with critical illnesses and mental health care by creating a statewide critical care policy that covers diagnoses of cancer or cardiac issues and covers up to $20,000 per diagnosis. It also creates a MnFIRE Assistance Program for all Minnesota firefighters to target emotional trauma issues unique to the fire service and ensures additional support for firefighters who remain in need beyond initial treatment sessions.
It was signed into law that same year.
The bill passed Thursday clarifies that expenses related to peer-to-peer counseling are reimbursable under the program and ensures that firefighters across the state are eligible for two hours of training in understanding and mitigating the risk of job-related critical illnesses and emotional trauma.
“Firefighters face cancer, cardiac issues, and mental health challenges at higher rates than the rest of us just for doing their jobs; jobs that we ask of them and that many of us are not willing or able to do,” said Rep. Cheryl Youakim, who sponsored the House version of the legislation. “They work hard to keep us safe without hesitation and we need to have their backs. The Hometown Heroes Assistance Program is one of the ways we can care for those who care for us.”
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