Stating that “this will not stand,” U.S. Rep. Steve Israel told the Port Washington News that volunteer fire departments would no longer have to face the anticipated financial crisis if their services were to be considered full-time employment as related to the Affordable Health Care Act.
Israel reported that the U.S. Treasury Department had assured him that the policy would be changed so that volunteer firefighters and Emergency Medical Services volunteers were treated fairly under Obama Care and could thus be able to continue to serve their communities.
The Affordable Care Act requires that an employer with 50 or more full-time employees (which is considered 30 hours or more a week) offer affordable and adequate health care coverage to its employees or else they could face a fine. However, the question arose as to how the hours of volunteer firefighters and other volunteer emergency responders should be taken into account in determining whether they are considered full-time employees and for counting toward the 50-employee threshold. The Treasury Department is now acting to ensure that volunteer fire and emergency services personnel are accorded appropriate treatment under the Affordable Care Act.
Volunteer fire departments will not be faced with unfair costs under the Affordable Care Act that they cannot afford to pay.
Israel stated: “Volunteer firefighters provide an invaluable service to our communities and save lives. I’m pleased that the Treasury Department made sure policies wouldn’t be put in place under the Affordable Care Act that would’ve been detrimental to fire departments on Long Island and across the nation. This is why I reached out to the IRS to make certain that they took into account the unique situation of volunteer firefighters, and I commend them for ensuring that fire departments aren’t saddled with costs they can’t handle.”
Israel’s announcement came last Friday, Jan. 10 and the congressman discussed the issue with the Record at a gathering of local public officials and supporters in Great Neck this past Sunday, Jan. 12.
The Treasury Department issued a statement on their website, written by Mark J. Mazur, assistant secretary for tax policy, stating that after reviewing all of the information, receiving comments from the public and from public officials, and speaking with members of volunteer firefighter and EMS departments, that regulations relating to the ACA will not require volunteer hours of bona fide volunteer firefighters and volunteer emergency medical personnel at governmental or tax-exempt organizations to be counted when determining full-time employees (or full-time equivalents). According to Mazur, the final regulations are expected to be issued shortly.
Receiving many letters from local mayors and fire department officials, Israel, along with Rep. Timothy Bishop and Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, had sent a letter to the Treasury Department, stating that the federal was wrong in this case. First hearing from Saddle Rock Mayor Dan Levy, Israel was quick to respond. Levy, sure that Israel would reach out and help (as he did so quickly in acquiring federal assistance for the waterfront village in the days following SuperStorm Sandy), contacted his congressman this time too.
Both Israel and Levy emphasized the importance of working together, and working to help make government better.
