Bill Overview
Title: Public Safety Officer Support Act of 2022
Description: This bill extends death and disability benefits under the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program (PSOB) to certain public safety officers and survivors of public safety officers who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder, or a trauma and stress-related disorder following an exposure to one or more traumatic events while on duty. The PSOB program provides death, disability, and education benefits to public safety officers and survivors of public safety officers who die or become disabled as a direct and proximate result of a personal injury in the line of duty.
Sponsors: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Target Audience
Population: Public Safety Officers and their families
Estimated Size: 2000000
- Public safety officers often include individuals such as police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and other first responders.
- The bill specifically mentions extending benefits to those suffering from PTSD, acute stress disorder, or trauma and stress-related disorders resulting from duty.
- PTSD and related disorders are fairly common among public safety officers due to the nature of their work.
- Families of these officers are also impacted as they may receive benefits in case of death or disability of the officer.
Reasoning
- I have included a diverse range of public safety officers to capture varied impacts within the target demographic.
- Gender, age, and occupation diversity help understand different perspectives and wellbeing changes.
- The impact of the policy varies in degree to reflect different personal situations and severity of trauma experienced.
- Thorough consideration of both immediate and long-term impacts of the policy was given, recognizing the evolving nature of stress-related disorders.
- The budget and target population size were considered to ensure only a portion of individuals receive direct impact, reflecting realistic constraints.
Simulated Interviews
Police Officer (New York, NY)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad the government is recognizing the mental health struggles we face on duty.
- This policy can make a big difference for someone like me who's dealing with PTSD.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Firefighter (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 43 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Finally, there's acknowledgment of the mental toll our jobs take.
- This support will help ensure my family is not left in a lurch.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
EMT (Miami, FL)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a relief to know support is extending to those of us with mental health struggles.
- This policy provides much needed financial security.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Police Officer (Dallas, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm happy for my colleagues who need this support, though I don't personally need it.
- It's crucial that mental health for officers is finally being taken seriously.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Paramedic (Chicago, IL)
Age: 38 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This support could enhance my access to continued therapy.
- I'm hopeful it will provide stability despite ongoing challenges.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Firefighter (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope I never need these benefits.
- It's reassuring to know I have support if things get tough.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Police Officer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could significantly change the quality of life for me and my children.
- Support like this should have been in place much sooner.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Firefighter (Houston, TX)
Age: 53 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I might not benefit directly, but I'm pleased the new generation will.
- It's a moral boost for the department knowing someone cares.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
EMT (Portland, OR)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I welcome any assistance; it's challenging to balance life and work stresses.
- Financial aid reduces worries about providing for my child.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Firefighter (Boston, MA)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could help stabilize my future if symptoms persist or worsen.
- It gives me peace of mind knowing aid is supporting my path to wellness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $150000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $200000000)
Year 2: $175000000 (Low: $125000000, High: $225000000)
Year 3: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $250000000)
Year 5: $225000000 (Low: $175000000, High: $275000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The prevalence and accurate diagnosis of PTSD and related disorders are critical to projecting costs.
- There is a considerable overlap among potential beneficiaries, warranting careful oversight to prevent fraudulent claims.
- Coordination with existing mental health and trauma support services is essential to optimize usage and outcomes.
- The differentiation between full-time public safety officers and volunteers may impact program eligibility evaluations.