Akron Beacon Journal Profiles Ohio Firefighter Advocating Expansion of Workers’ Compensation to Include Treatment of HIV and Hepatitis C
The Akron Beacon Journal on Sunday profiled Stephen Derrig, a firefighter who is promoting legislation that would allow firefighters who contract HIV, hepatitis C and other diseases on the job to receive workers' compensation for treatment of the illnesses. Studies have shown that firefighters, paramedics and other emergency workers are more likely to contract HIV, hepatitis C and certain types of cancers than the general population. Twenty states have passed laws regarding the inclusion of hepatitis C, HIV and other diseases in workers' compensation plans for emergency medical workers, but similar measures have "stalled" in the Ohio Senate and House, the Beacon Journal reports (Akron Beacon Journal, 10/13).
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