Rep. Thomas M. Davis III yesterday asked city officials to provide details about their plans to fix payroll problems that have caused firefighters to lose their health insurance.
Mr. Davis, Virginia Republican, said in a letter to D.C. Mayor Anthony A. Williams and D.C. Council Chairman Linda W. Cropp that several firefighters had contacted his committee about the pay and benefit problems and the effect they are having on the department’s morale.
Mr. Davis is chairman of the House Committee on Government Reform, which has oversight of the District.
The Washington Times reported Tuesday that city firefighters have learned during doctor visits that their health insurance has been canceled for nonpayment by the District, even though their paychecks indicated that insurance premiums were being deducted.
Firefighters also say they have been pressing to get their paychecks corrected because they are getting paid too little — and in some cases, too much.
“I am certain you agree that a healthy, functioning city needs to be able to pay its employees in a timely and reliable fashion and ensure they receive the benefits they have earned,” Mr. Davis wrote. “At a time when so many things are going right in the District and public perceptions are changing for the better, it is disheartening to hear about incidents like this.”
City officials told The Times that health insurance has been restored for about 10 firefighters who were affected and that the city will make arrangements with insurance companies or reimburse firefighters for any bills that should have been covered.
“My committee, and the federal government in general, have a responsibility to ensure these mishaps are not hampering morale among emergency service employees in the nation’s capital,” Mr. Davis said.
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