In a memorandum to Gary Folger, the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, dated May 22, 2014, Alaska’s Governor Sean Parnell directed to Department of Public Safety to pay the health insurance premiums for the survivors of DPS employees killed in the line of duty. The health insurance premiums will be paid for the remainder of fiscal year 2004  and the entirety of fiscal year 2015.

In the memo, Parnell said, “I have recently learned that in none of these cases is paid health insurance available to the survivors under current State law. While we will work next session to address the gaps in State law, I believe it is necessary to act immediately to secure health insurance for the survivors of these State heroes who have given their lives to protect the people of the state of Alaska.”

In the memo, he continued, saying, “In the case of Sgt. Johnson and Trooper Rich, the
payments will be made under the provisions of COBRA for continued health insurance under the PSEA health plan. In the case of Trooper Toll and Mr. Nading, I understand that COBRA eligibility has expired, and so the Department will need to work with the families to identify the health insurance to be purchased with Department funds.”

The Governor pointed out that precedent has been set, at least in part, by the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, who already pay the health insurance premiums for Marine Highway retirees from operating funds annually.

The full text of the memo can be read here.

  Alaska, Department of Public safety, Gov., health insurance, parnell, premiums, troopers