Lung Disease Presumption Proposed for Firefighters

Montana firefighters would be entitled to a presumption that lung diseases are occupational in nature, and would receive benefits from a special fund created to pay these claims under a bill going before state lawmakers this year. Senate Bill 72, by Sen. Pat Connell, R-Hamilton, would create a “Presumptive Disease Compensation Account” as part of the state’s special revenue fund to pay for compensable lung conditions. The account would be funded by a portion of a 2.5% tax on premiums that is already charged to carriers who write insurance on houses, buildings and other prope...