Legislative CorrespondenceApril 8, 2009
«CompleteOFFICIALName Address»
Dear Representative Isenhart:
We received questions from a Legislator regarding the proposed amendments to
Chapter 411. Dennis Jacobs, Executive Director of the Municipal Fire and Police
Retirement System of Iowa states that since 1992, which is when Chapter 411
became a statewide pension system, four police officers and firefighters would
have qualified for a job related disability had these amendments been in place.
He also informed us that the four employees were not employees of the City of
Dubuque. However, based on our own research, there are two employees who
would have qualified for a job related disability had this amendment been in place
at the time of their illness. As I stated in my letter to you dated March 27, 2009,
the current law is comprehensive and does not warrant being expanded to
include certain cancers or infectious diseases as a job related presumption.
Under the current law, if a particular cancer or infectious disease can be related
to the work performed by a firefighter or police officer, benefits will be provided.
Unless and until there is medical evidence that establishes a causal relationship
between a particular form of cancer or infectious disease and firefighting and law
enforcement activities, this legislation should not be enacted.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call.
Sincerely,
Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
MCVM:rp
ThE Honorable Pat Murphy
Speaker of the House
Iowa State Representative
155 N. Grandview Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001
The Honorable Thomas Schuefler
Iowa State Representative
503 W. Platt Street
Maquoketa, IA 52060
The Honorable Ray Zirkelbach
Iowa State Representative
637 W. First Street
Monticello, IA 52310
The Honorable Chuck Isenhart
Iowa State Representative
P.O. Box 3353
Dubuque, IA 52004-3353
The Honorable Steven Lukan
Iowa State Representative
7365 Columbus Street
New Vienna IA 52065