Advocates say “Jason McKissack Act” in danger of dying in Senate

ORIGINAL 1:55 PM REPORT: We have been following the progress in the Legislature of EHB 1679, the bill that is meant to fix the situation that has left catastrophically injured public-safety personnel and their families without health coverage if they cannot return to work. First, it was heard in the state House Ways and Means Committee (WSB coverage here), and passed the House unanimously; then last Monday, it was heard in the Senate Ways and Means Committee (WSB coverage here). But that committee has to bring it up for a vote to get it to the floor – and Renee Maher, law-enforcement advocate/lobbyist and an officer’s widow, e-mailed us today to say EHB 1679 is in danger of NOT coming up for a vote in Senate Ways and Means. The Senate is also where a version of this bill died last year – before the well-publicized case of Jason McKissack, who was on duty as a West Seattle-based Seattle Police officer, trying to break up a fight a year and a half ago, when he was kicked in the face repeatedly and suffered brain damage. He is unable to return to work and received a letter from the city last month saying his employment was ended; he and his wife testified in the House hearing, but he was not well enough to attend last Monday’s Senate hearing. From Renee Maher:

Somehow EHB 1679 – the Jason McKissack Act – has slipped through the cracks in the Senate Ways and Means committee. We need to get the word out to people to ask them to contact Senate Ways and Means Chair Margarita Prentice, 360-786-7616, and ask her to vote EHB 1679 out of the committee. The deadline is Monday!

The full list of Ways and Means members – with each name linking to the senator’s site and contact info – is here. Among them, West Seattle’s 34th District State Senator Joe McDermott, who had said he’d do everything he could to move this bill this year; we have messages out to him – the committee is in session again today, though this bill is not on its published agenda.

ADDED 4:14 PM: The Seattle Police Officers’ Guild has sent a news release with an open plea to the public to help rescue this bill.

The Seattle Police Officers Guild and the Council of Metropolitan Police and Sheriffs need the public’s assistance. Engrossed House Bill 1679, also known as the “Jason McKissack Act”, which would provide health insurance to Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters who are catastrophically injured in the line of duty faces the possibility of not passing. This bill passed the House of Representatives unanimously on February 3, 2010. On February 22, 2006, testimony regarding the bill was heard in front of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Officer McKissack’s wife Kim testified along with the President of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, the President of COMPAS and the Executive Director of COMPAS, stating the importance of this bill, and how the state needs to take care of their law enforcement officers and firefighters, should they ever become catastrophically injured in the line of duty.

If this bill is not voted out of the Senate Ways and Means Committee by THIS Monday, March 1, 2010, the bill will die. Currently the bill IS NOT SET to be voted on, on Monday.

The news release continues after the jump:

This bill helps to fill a hole that Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters in this state face. Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters put their lives on the line everyday and it is imperative that should they be catastrophically disabled in the line of duty they and their families should be provided medical insurance. Currently line of duty death survivors receive medical benefits if their Law Enforcement Officer or Fire Fighter gives their life in the line of duty. This is not the case for a Law Enforcement Officer or Fire Fighter who manages to survive but is catastrophically disabled. We should never have a situation where a Law Enforcement Officer or Fire Fighters family is better off financially if they had been killed in the line of duty rather than be catastrophically disabled.

Sergeant Rich O’Neill, President of the Seattle Police Officers Guild Stated “police officers are taught to never use the word “help” unless it is absolutely necessary. When a call of “help the officer” goes out, every officer responds immediately, as it is the most critical call there is, and states that an officer is in need of immediate assistance. Right now, we are asking the Senate and the citizens of the great State of Washington for help. Please help our Officers and Firefighters.”

We are asking that everyone dedicate 3 minutes of their life to calling or emailing their Senator and asking for this bill to be voted out of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Please either call or email your Senator directly, or call the legislative hotline at 1-800-562-6000 from 8am to 8pm and ask them to support Engrossed House Bill 1679, the “Jason McKissack Act”.

7:06 PM: Sen. McDermott has posted this comment:

Indeed this is the time for action. The “Jason McKissack Act” — House Bill 1679 — is in the Ways & Means Committee. Monday is the deadline for House Bills to be voted out of Senate fiscal committees. I have spoken to Senator Prentice, the Chair of the committee, and Senator Brown, the Senate Majority Leader, today reminding them again of the compelling testimony we heard at the hearing and underscoring the need to move the bill out of committee. The Firefighters have also been working the issue today (the Senate adjourned for the day just after 5 pm this evening) as well.

Continued positive encouragement is always welcome in a legislative environment. The Ways & Means Committee meets at 1:30 on Monday.

JanS February 27, 2010 (2:22 pm)

Appalling that no action is being taken. How dare them. How dare us to not take care of the Jason McKissacks in our community, our world. Please contact Ms. Prentice today. Just follow the links…call, fax, e-mail…whatever…just do it !

The Velvet Bulldog February 27, 2010 (4:03 pm)

I emailed ALL the Senators of the Ways and Means committee. I mean really, this is even a debate? It should just be policy for pete’s sake.

miws February 27, 2010 (4:08 pm)

E-mail Sent to Sen. Prentice. Thanks for the heads up, WSB.

And thanks for the kick in the butt, Jan. (Only next time, no pointy toed shoes, ‘kay? ;) )

I, too, find this totally appalling, plus, the State Senate wants a weaker version of the Bill, that would help prevent future Maurice Clemmons types from being released from prison.

Mike

WSB February 27, 2010 (4:09 pm)

The Seattle Police Officers’ Guild also has sent out a news release with the plea that its leader Sgt. Rich O’Neill voiced at both Legislature hearings we covered: “Help the officer.” Adding to the story now – TR

WMF February 27, 2010 (4:25 pm)

This is absolutely unacceptable. I will start making calls right away. And I will urge others to do so.

WMF February 27, 2010 (4:33 pm)

Left McDermott a voice mail… what else can I do?

Sen Joe McDermott February 27, 2010 (5:24 pm)

Indeed this is the time for action. The “Jason McKissack Act” — House Bill 1679 — is in the Ways & Means Committee. Monday is the deadline for House Bills to be voted out of Senate fiscal committees. I have spoken to Senator Prentice, the Chair of the committee, and Senator Brown, the Senate Majority Leader, today reminding them again of the compelling testimony we heard at the hearing and underscoring the need to move the bill out of committee. The Firefighters have also been working the issue today (the Senate adjourned for the day just after 5 pm this evening) as well.

Continued positive encouragement is always welcome in a legislative environment. The Ways & Means Committee meets at 1:30 on Monday.

rw February 27, 2010 (5:40 pm)

I am very upset by this. Granted there is so much to deal with right now with the budgets and this came late. However I would like to know why after all this its not set to be voted on? It’s as if they wanted to appease the police after all the fallen by hearing them out but really in typical politician fashion were just giving it lip service. I see this as a chance to right a wrong. If they overlook this I will not forget their names come election time. I will be contacting them thanks WSB.

Candy Berg February 27, 2010 (8:28 pm)

Hello,
I am warmed to see the positive feedback from this site. My husband is a Seattle Police Officer. I know several Fire Fighters. What I do not understand is this. Why tell us that they are going to get this to happen, then a few days later try to hide it away. I know that the Police as well as the Fire Fighters want to fund this themselves.
Please email both Senator Margarita Prentice as well as Senator Lisa Brown. We can call, email or send smoke signals but let them know they should get this done. We have buried too many Officers lately. No one should have to think, if I do this and am catastrophically disabled. My family will be without health care. No one should have to hear their loved one say, we cannot afford to keep our house, we have to chose between groceries and paying to provide health care. I thank you all for your support. Call and email today. CAB

Kate K February 28, 2010 (11:58 am)

I called each committee member’s office today from the list and it took about 15 minutes. You’ll get voice mail and can just leave a message. Or of course you can email them.

Wondering what to say? This was my statement:

I’m _____ from West Seattle.

It is imperative that EHB1679, the Jason McKissack Act, be voted out of committee. We must take care of the brave men and women tho take care of our community. If you’d like to talk to me further, my number is __________. Thank you.

Renee Maher February 28, 2010 (12:11 pm)

Thank you to WSB and to everyone who has called! We have been working hard to make sure everyone who wants to support Jason’s bill knows that they can make a HUGE difference by contacting members of the committee. This bill is one of COMPAS’ highest priorities this session. Kate, what you said is just perfect! Never underestimate your ability to make things happen by getting involved.

Please continue to spread the word. We NEED this bill voted out of committee by Monday!

nobodyfamous February 28, 2010 (4:00 pm)

Why limit this to just police and fire fighters? Shouldn’t everyone have access to health care? Let’s be sure we’re focusing on the right problem here.

Candy Berg February 28, 2010 (9:48 pm)

Hello Nobodyfamous.
Would you please read the story instead of one paragraph and educate yourself on the facts. Everyone should have health care. That is not the issue. Read the whole story.
By the way, in the right of having health care for everyone, where does the money come from. The difference here is that the Police and Fire Fighters want to fund this bill. So lets weigh the difference, pay more taxes or allow the money to be provided for this by the Police and Fire Fighters fund.