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Chilean Firefighters seek Medical Insurance Coverage and Regulation
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Impunity Watch Reporter, South America
Photo by Bomberos de Chile.
Insurance companies have covered the firefighters' medical bills since 1941, but the insurance companies claim they cannot sustain the current situation because of the increased growth of firefighters in Chile. Chile’s Constitutional Court heard arguments from the insurance companies, firefighting attorneys, and Chile’s Securities and Exchange Regulator.
The insurance companies argued they have been unconstitutionally overburdened since they have been singled out to support a public service. The firefighter attorneys insisted that covering the medical bill of the firefighters would lead to more efficient firefighting and less costs for the insurance companies.
Chilean firefighters or “bomberos” finance, maintain, and operate their firehouses without government aid. Because of their status as volunteer firefighters, bomberos pay for specialized firefighting training in full without a government subsidy. The firefighters are also given special treatment by the medical insurance companies.
Recently, Chile’s Securities and Exchange Regulator ordered 16 insurance companies to pay over 80 million Chilean pesos worth in claims earlier this month. If the insurance companies do not pay the medical claims, the Securities and Exchange Regulator has the ability to fine the insurance companies.
Today, the Fire Department of the Chilean Region of Bio Bio
and Essbio signed an agreement to raise money in order to provide firefighting
services for Bio Bio and Essbio.
Essbio will also provide water in emergency situations. The agreement to provide water services
in the shadow of health insurance problems illustrates the need for more discussion
for the future of Chilean firefighting.
For more information, please see:
Bomberos de Chile - About Bomberos - 29 May 2009Santiago Times - Insurers Question Legality To Cover Firemen On The Job - 29 May 2009
El Sur - Clientes de Essbio podrán aportar a bomberos a través de la cuenta de agua - 29 May 2009
I need to put my fiance on my medical bc I really think he needs to see a doctor soon. But for the good insurance it would be 120 every paycheck. I live paycheck to paycheck now so that would be very hard. This one insurance offered is 70 bucks a check BCBS high deductible. Now its like 80% covered after the deductible. I mean I do not know how good this is.
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