HARRISBURG – Legislation to ensure dependents of fallen police officers continue to have health insurance has passed the PA House Local Government Committee. House Bill 911 would provide insurance to the surviving spouse for their lifetime, and children would be covered until age 26. The proposal mirrors the benefits already available to PA State Police families experiencing line-of-duty deaths. Bill sponsor, Dauphin County Rep. Tom Mehaffie said he introduced the bill after speaking to the widow of a local police officer who died in the line of duty. She described the challenges and uncertainty she faced regarding health insurance coverage following her husband’s death. Mehaffie said changes were needed as families that have already sacrificed so much should not be forced to navigate additional financial or insurance-related burdens while grieving. The bill goes to the full PA House.
REP. TOM MEHAFFIE