Rep. Brennan Vows to Keep Fighting for Ohio First Responders Harmed by Thin Blue Line Benefits Association
COLUMBUS – State Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan (D–Parma) is continuing his efforts to protect Ohio police officers, firefighters and other first responders who were affected by Thin Blue Line Benefits Association and are facing millions of dollars in unpaid or disputed health care claims.
The Department informed Rep. Brennan that, as of September 17, approximately 866 claims totaling $17,361,588 had been submitted by Ohio consumers. The Department also confirmed that Thin Blue Line never applied for or received an Ohio insurance license. The Department began receiving consumer complaints in October 2024, investigated the company’s operations beginning in November 2024, and initiated litigation in June 2025.
According to the Ohio Attorney General’s filed court documents, Thin Blue Line marketed health coverage to retired law enforcement and fire personnel, collected monthly premiums, and stopped paying many medical claims while continuing to collect premiums.
Even more troubling, the Department informed Rep. Brennan that because Thin Blue Line operated in Ohio without a license, affected policyholders are not eligible for protection through the Ohio Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association.
“These are police officers, firefighters, and other first responders who spent their careers protecting Ohio communities. They paid their premiums because they believed their health coverage would be there when they and their families needed it. Now, many are facing thousands of dollars in medical bills through no fault of their own,” Rep. Brennan said.
Rep. Brennan also raised questions about approximately $2.9 million that had been held in an Ohio premiums account. The Department reported that on or about June 3, 2026, it discovered that the funds had been withdrawn and deposited into other bank accounts in violation of two court orders. The Department subsequently filed a motion seeking a contempt show-cause order, with a hearing scheduled for October 6.
“I have now met with the Department of Insurance, and I intend to continue doing everything within my power to make sure these retired first responders are made whole,” Rep. Brennan said. “They dedicated their careers to protecting us. We cannot simply tell them that their insurance failed and leave them holding the bills.”
Rep. Brennan is also calling for a thorough criminal investigation into the conduct surrounding Thin Blue Line and any individuals or entities implicated by the evidence. He emphasized that calling for an investigation is not prejudging the outcome of either the civil proceedings or any potential criminal case.
“My message is simple: I am going to keep looking out for our first responders and anyone else who gets fleeced by a bad actor in the insurance industry. Those who spent their lives protecting Ohioans deserve to know that someone is going to protect them when they need it. I intend to be that voice and to keep fighting until we have exhausted every avenue available to help them,” Rep. Brennan concluded.