LANSING — This week, Republican legislators introduced legislation that could strip away critically important benefits for retired police and firefighters, such as health care. In response, state Representative Henry Yanez (D-Sterling Heights) issued the following response:
“As a former Sterling Heights firefighter, I stand with firefighters, police and all emergency responders against this unthinkable attack on the health care benefits they earned. Police and firefighters put their lives on the line to serve our communities. It’s not uncommon for them to suffer severe injuries or develop long-term health issues. There is a task force report that deals with financial issues faced by local government without taking away health care from the very employees who need it most, and that’s what we should considering. I stand with my fellow first responders and will fight to preserve the health care benefits they earned.”