LANSING - In a move to protect the jobs of Michigan military members, the Michigan House today passed a plan co-sponsored by State Representatives John Espinoza (D-Croswell) and Terry Brown (D-Pigeon) that extends the licenses of health care professionals while they are on active military duty.
"It is not right that Michigan's EMTs and other health professionals on active military duty are at risk of losing their jobs when they return home," said Espinoza, who served as a U.S. Army squad leader in Vietnam as part of a distinguished military career. "Our armed forces are making tremendous sacrifices, and they should be rewarded - not punished because they have chosen to serve their country. This plan protects our military members, their families and our communities, which need the important services these professionals provide."
With members of the military being deployed for longer periods of time, many Michigan health professionals who are called to active duty are unable to finish the continuing education credits needed to renew their state license. The plan sponsored by Espinoza and Brown allows a board that requires such credits as a condition of renewing a health occupation license to make an exception for professionals on active military duty. Under the plan, health professionals going on active duty can apply to have their occupational license or registration renewed until after they are discharged.
Brown and Espinoza also voted for a plan the House passed Thursday that allows servicemembers called to active duty to cancel their cell phone contracts without penalties. Allowing members of the armed forces who are deployed for 180 days or more to do this will save military families hundreds of dollars in early-termination fees.
"It's important that all of us in Michigan work together to support our military members who are fighting overseas and their families who may be struggling without them here at home," said Brown, who is Vice Chair of the House Military and Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security Committee. "We have to do everything we can to ease the financial burden on the families in our community and make sure that their loved ones can make a good living when they come home."