Jones died of cancer May 30 after what colleagues described as delays in care following a denial of his initial lung cancer treatment request by Blue Shield.
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Now, retired employees and firefighters are pushing for changes in his honor.
Behind closed doors, a coalition of retired city employees, medical experts and firefighters met with Blue Shield for nearly three hours to discuss concerns about cancer treatment approvals and coverage.
"Ken wanted to make sure didn't happen again. And that's what we're going to do," said Sam Gebler, president of San Francisco Firefighters Local 798.
Jones previously spoke publicly alongside his family at a San Francisco Health Service Board meeting, where he advocated for reforms to the system. His case has drawn attention to what retirees say are broader issues involving treatment approvals.
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"Our goal is not complicated," Gebler said. "If you have cancer and if you served the citizens of San Francisco or any fire department or any group, you shouldn't have to be fighting to get your care covered."
Teresa Palmer, a retired city doctor and member of Protect Our Benefits, a group representing about 41,000 retired San Francisco employees, said Blue Shield outlined several changes during the meeting.
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"They say they have put more protections in place for people that have cancer. They say they have a doctor-to-doctor option," Palmer said. "Where one cancer doctor who is the personal doctor of the patient, can talk to an equivalent cancer doctor at the insurance company and beg to get the care approved."
When asked whether the changes were enough, Palmer replied: "No."
In a statement, Blue Shield said, "We have taken steps to strengthen support for members facing serious conditions, including increasing coordination between physicians earlier in the process."
California Assemblymember Catherine Stefani said her office is considering possible legislation depending on the outcome of future meetings.
"Ultimately, my goal is to make sure that BlueShield does not deny the health care that is being requested by their oncologists," Stefani said. "And that is going to take some state action, likely, but to make sure that when an oncologist is recommending a certain cancer treatment, that Blue Shield is granting the health care that is recommended."
According to the San Francisco firefighters' union, 400 city firefighters have died from cancer since 2006.
Blue Shield is scheduled to meet again with firefighters and retired city employees on July 8. Organizers said the insurer promised to provide the proposed changes in writing.