WASHINGTON – The U.S. House has unanimously passed legislation to protect volunteer firefighters and emergency responders from the unintended consequences of Obamacare. Congressman Lou Barletta’s (R-11th, Hazleton) bill, the Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act, ensures that emergency service volunteers are not counted as full-time employees by the IRS under the Employer Mandate of Obamacare.
Barletta says if volunteer fire companies were subject to the mandates, they could be liable for crippling new health care costs, causing many to have to close their doors. The House passed Barletta’s bill 401 to 0. It now heads to the Senate for its approval. (Ali Stevens)