Gallego, Landsman Introduce Bill to Allow First Responders Early Access to Medicare

WASHINGTON - Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) introduced the Expanding Health Care Options for First Responders Act to lower the Medicare enrollment age for first responders to 50. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by Congressman Greg Landsman (OH-01).

Police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and other first responders are often forced to retire early due to the intense physical and mental toll of their service. Many are left navigating expensive or limited health care options until they reach Medicare eligibility. The Expanding Health Care Options for First Responders Act would ensure first responders who leave service early due to retirement or disability have access to quality health care coverage when they enter retirement and act as an incentive to recruit new first responders.

"First responders put their lives on the line to protect our communities, and that takes an immense toll on their physical health. They deserve access to high-quality health care both when they're on the job and when they retire," said Senator Gallego. "Lowering the Medicare enrollment age for first responders will help them get the care they've earned and make it easier to recruit and retain the people who keep our communities safe."

"Most first responders retire before 65 and face uncertainty about how they'll access quality healthcare, despite all their sacrifices," said Congressman Landsman. "After everything they did to keep our communities safe, it's only right we make sure they get the proper care they deserve."

First responders face higher risk of workplace injury, cardiovascular disease, mental health challenges, and general wear and tear of muscles, joints, and ligaments due to the physical and stress demands of their chosen occupations. Meanwhile, law enforcement, firefighters, and other first responders face challenges in recruitment, with 78 percent of law enforcement agencies reporting difficulties in recruiting qualified candidates.

"Law enforcement is a physically demanding profession that also takes a toll on our mental health. Given the physical demands of the job, our members often retire earlier than other professions. In fact, many agencies have mandatory retirement ages. As a result, these retired officers often lose their employer provided health insurance upon or shortly after their retirement - a time when they are years away from being eligible for Medicare - meaning they must personally shoulder the considerable cost of healthcare either out-of-pocket or through the purchase of expensive private insurance plans. This legislation addresses this issue by allowing law enforcement and other public safety professionals the option to buy into Medicare at the age of 50. For our members, it's common sense," said Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police.

Full text of the legislation is available HERE.

12/5/25