On Friday, December 21, the Senate approved the conference report to H.R. 4310, the National Defense Authorization Act. The House approved the conference report on Thursday, December 20. In addition to authorizing appropriation for the Department of Defense, the bill had a number of provisions of importance to the nation's fire and emergency services.

In the legislation, the Senate approved an amendment offered by Senator Patrick Leahy (Vt.) that made several changes to the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program, including providing mandatory funding for disability benefits, expanding coverage to certain non-profit EMS providers, and the addition of vascular rupture under the causes of death covered by the Hometown Heroes provisions.

H.R. 4310 will now go to the White House for President Obama's signature.

This legislation has been one of NAEMT's legislative priorities.