Possible Health Benefits Cuts Alarm CA Firefighters

A California firefighters union is upset over a plan to cut or reduce health care benefits for current and retired firefighters.

Roberto Padilla, a spokesman for Sacramento's union, told KTXL-TV that since the contract with firefighters ended eight months ago, the city has been pushing to slash or do away with health care coverage. In fact, Padilla says Sacramento has suggested that retired firefighters should pay for their health benefits, including mental health care, which is a concern because those issues can crop up before Medicare begins.

"PTSD, cancer, suicide, mental health, that’s at the front line of fire service right now," Padilla told KTXL. 

But Eye on Sacramento, a self-proclaimed city watchdog group, says the city spends $400 million in unfunded retiree health benefits. Craig Powell, the organization's head, believes the city needs to reduce the amount.

“We calculate that every existing firefighter will make over a hundred thousand dollars a year retirement,” Powell told KTXL. “So, they’re going to have plenty of money to pay for their own retiree health care, even if that benefit is eliminated.”

The firefighters union and the city are set for binding arbitration in November. At that time, an arbitrator will decide between proposals from both sides, the TV station added.