Sen. Baldacci introduces bill to expand scope of health care plans

AUGUSTA — On Thursday, Feb. 16, Sen. Joe Baldacci, D-Bangor, introduced LD 362, “An Act to Clarify Coverage for Retired County and Municipal Law Enforcement Officers and Municipal Firefighters Under the State Employer Group Health Plan.” The bill was the subject of a public hearing in the Joint Standing Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services.

“My goal here is simple, to get folks onto a retirement plan that works best for them after years of public service to our communities. There are several reasons why an officer or firefighter may not have enrolled in the program at the time, and we don’t want to penalize these individuals now when they need to get onto a retirement plan,” said Sen. Baldacci. “This legislation clarifies that a retired county or municipal law enforcement officer or firefighter is eligible to enroll in the group health plan offered to state employees if the officer meets the requirements for their time serving the community.”

LD 362 would clarify that retired county or municipal officers, be that law enforcement or firefighters, are able to enroll in their group health care plan so long as they meet the necessary criteria for the Retired County and Municipal 24 Law Enforcement Officers and Municipal Firefighters Health Insurance Program.

The bill faces further action in committee.