Workers' Compensation - Occupational Disease Presumptions - Hypertension
If enacted, SB173 would amend existing workers’ compensation laws in Maryland by making it easier for emergency responders to claim benefits related to hypertension. This presumption would enable affected individuals to receive workers' compensation without the need for exhaustive evidence linking their condition directly to their occupational duties. This shift in responsibility from the employee to the employer or insurer represents a significant change in the state's approach to handling occupational health issues.
Senate Bill 173, titled 'Workers’ Compensation – Occupational Disease Presumptions – Hypertension', focuses on establishing a presumption of hypertension as an occupational disease for certain emergency responders. The bill specifically applies to firefighters, firefighting instructors, rescue squad members, and advanced life support unit members. The legislation outlines that these individuals will be deemed to have hypertension for the purposes of occupational disease presumption if they meet specific criteria, including blood pressure readings and usage of prescribed medication for a certain duration.
The bill has garnered both support and opposition. Proponents argue that it recognizes the unique health risks faced by firefighters and similar professionals, particularly due to the physical demands of their jobs. Critics, however, may raise concerns about the validity of such presumptions and potential impacts on workers' compensation insurance costs. The bill's structure could lead to discussions on the adequacy of medical evaluations required to establish hypertension and ensure that only genuinely affected individuals receive these benefits.