Reps. Panetta, Carbajal, Levin Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Lower Medicare Enrollment Age for First Responders

Washington, DC– United States Representatives Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), and Mike Levin (CA-49) reintroduced the First Responders’ Care Expansion (FORCE) Act to lower the Medicare enrollment age for classified first responders to 57.

First responders are often forced to retire early due to the physical toll of service. The FORCE Act would ensure first responders have access to quality health care coverage when they enter retirement and act as an incentive in the recruitment of new officers, firefighters, and other public servants.

“When first responders retire early due to the immense physical and mental demands of service, they often face limited affordable health care options,” said Rep. Panetta. “The FORCE Act addresses this unacceptable reality by lowering the Medicare enrollment age for these public servants who often sacrifice their own health to save lives and expanding access to the high-quality healthcare they’ve earned. Our first responders go above and beyond to serve and protect their communities and it’s the federal government’s job to take care of them both during service and well into retirement.” 

“First responders put their lives on the line to protect us, but too often they struggle to get the health coverage they need during retirement. That’s unacceptable and a disservice to these heroes,” said Rep. Carbajal. “This bipartisan bill makes sure first responders get the health care they’ve earned and deserve.”

“Our first responders spend their careers protecting us, and they deserve the same protection when they retire,” said Rep. Levin. “By expanding Medicare eligibility for retired first responders ages 57 to 64 who have served ten years or more, we ensure they are cared for in retirement and not cast aside after dedicating their lives to a mission larger than themselves.”

"First responders put their lives on the line every day to protect the communities they serve, but the demanding nature of this profession wears down our bodies – often leading to early retirement and gaps in coverage for those who have to retire before they qualify for Medicare," said Brian R. Marvel, President of the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC). "The First Responders' Care Expansion Act addresses this concern head on by lowering the Medicare eligibility age to 57 for first responders – preventing these retirees from being forced to seek additional employment or make large payments for healthcare coverage until they reach 65. Thank you, Congressman Panetta, for your collaboration and leadership on this important issue. This bill is crucial to ensuring retired first responders who have dedicated their lives to public service are given the support they not only deserve, but have rightfully earned."

Under the FORCE Act, first responders with ten years of service would be eligible for the lower Medicare enrollment age. First responders that would be eligible include law enforcement officers, fire fighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and other protective service occupations.

First responders face higher risk of workplace injury, cardiovascular disease, mental health challenges, and general wear and tear of muscles, joints, and ligaments due to the physical and stress demands of their chosen occupations.  A June 2021 national survey from the Police Executive Research Forum, found a 45 percent increase in law enforcement retirements and an 18 percent rise in resignations compared to the previous year.  Meanwhile, law enforcement, firefighters, and other first responders face challenges in recruitment, with 78 percent of law enforcement agencies reporting difficulties in recruiting qualified candidates.

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