Eric Weber was diagnosed with leukemia five years ago at age 36.
"I'm on a low dose oral chemotherapy, currently take it every day," said Weber. "It's very expensive medication, currently my health insurance covers it, however I'm responsible for co-pays."
And if he ever feels sick from side effects, he has to use up his sick days or vacation days.
"That comes out of personal bank because there's no funding for it, and there's no way to cover time and our care," explained Weber.
Funding that he says should be in place for first responders.
"We just buried Steve Babcock," said Weber. "He had cancer that would have been identifiable by this bill and it progressed very fast, and he passed as an active member of our department. This legislation would have made a world of difference for him and his family."
Since Governor Snyder signed the bill in January last year, eight firefighters in the state have been diagnosed with cancers that would have been covered under the law. State Rep Tom Cochran says it's the legislators job to fulfill the promises they made.
"When we look at the overall budget for the State of Michigan, 3-5 million dollars is not a great deal of money," said Rep. Cochran, D- Mason. "If nothing else, it fulfills a promise that the senate and house legislature made to the firefighters."
And while the former Lansing Fire Chief and current representative is pushing for support from the appropriations committee, he says the governor didn't include the money in his budget proposal.
"We have to support the people of Flint.," said Rep. Cochran. "I mean it's just tragic what's happened to them. The Detroit Public Schools you know."
"Scary and disheartening that it's not funded," said Weber.
