Nebraska’s governor has vetoed a bill that would have provided workers’ compensation benefits for emergency services personnel who suffer mental trauma on the job after all.
Gov. Dave Heineman vetoed the bill that would have expanded workers’ compensation benefits for police officers, firefighters and other first responders exposed to especially horrific conditions during their work, according to the Omaha World Herald.
Cost was the governor’s reason for vetoing Legislative Bill 819. He argued that the legislation would raise workers’ comp costs for cities, counties and the state and argued that a debriefing program was already in place to help emergency personnel cope with traumatic situations. The bill’s sponsor, State Sen. Abbie Cornett, estimated that claims for mental trauma would amount to only 2 percent of all workers’ compensation claims.
Tags: Nebraska workers’ compensation; workers compensation cops, workers’ compensation benefits
