SF firefighters rally for retiree denied cancer treatment by Blue Shield as more come forward

"This is unacceptable. Firefighters in California have a legal presumption that cancer is job-related. We earned that presumption through decades of exposure to toxic smoke, burning chemicals and carcinogens -- all contracted in the line of duty. Firefighter Jones upheld his end of the bargain. He served our city. He served our members. He paid into the system,"

"After we got some publicity, thank you, a Blue Shield physician reached out to Ken's physician, and they worked out a different plan that Blue Shield would cover. It's still an incomplete plan,"

"You all always have our back, and we're always going to have your back, especially when it comes to your health care,"

"We will get to the bottom of this."

Retired San Francisco firefighter Ken Jones had stage 4 lung cancer treatment denied by Blue Shield, the city-provided insurer. Publicity prompted a Blue Shield physician to contact Jones' doctor and arrange a different, still incomplete, coverage plan. Current and retired firefighters rallied at City Hall, citing California's legal presumption that firefighter cancers are job-related due to prolonged exposure to toxic smoke and carcinogens. The union emphasized that Jones fulfilled his obligations while serving the city. The mayor pledged support and investigation. The city's Health Service Board reported about 5,000 city employees and retirees insured by Blue Shield and urged others denied treatment to speak up.

Read at ABC7 San Francisco