GOOD NEWS! Remember the petition I started for FEMA first responders to get health benefits?
Last edited Mon Dec 17, 2012, 06:32 PM - Edit history (2)
I created a petition the Tuesday after Sandy hit. It got press coverage after receiving 115k signatures in one week and subsequent statements from FEMA indicating victory.
Well.....for the last few weeks there has been NOTHING. I've been stonewalled, knowing the ball was most definitely in FEMA's court, in spite of the bureaucratic red tape involved in such changes. I couldn't get the press back on board because, once victory was claimed (though even I felt it was premature to say that), they had no interest.
I kept being the PITA that I am and, as of today, a definitive victory has indeed been proclaimed!!!
As of early 2013, the thousands of FEMA Reservists (the on-call first responders) will be eligible to enroll in the federal health benefit plan. They've received official notification of the same.
Here's my blog post which gives the background history and an update.
Thought we could all use some good news, especially a David vs. Goliath type of good news. 
[font size="3"][font color="green"]EDIT TO ADD: NEXT UP, UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE!!![/font]
= new reply since forum marked as read
It was my pleasure. I told my daughter I can die now, knowing I've made a tangible difference along the way. Of course, there are more battles to be fought, so I don't plan on going anywhere.
rec
Kudos to you for keeping up the fight! 
I've been crying for days (like so many); you made me get all weepy again, but out of gratitude.
Thank you so much for the kind words.
