Bill · H.R. 5865· House(119-HR-5865)
Thalidomide Survivors Compensation Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 10/28/2025
- Last activity
- 10/28/2025 — Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Education and Workforce, Financial Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- Jefferson Van Drew
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The bill establishes the Thalidomide Survivors Compensation Program through the Department of Health and Human Services to support individuals injured by thalidomide exposure. It requires eligible American citizens and permanent residents to submit a petition with physician documentation by May 31, 2034. An expert panel will review these petitions, and approved individuals will receive a $150,000 payment. Additionally, the legislation ensures these compensation payments are excluded from federal income tax and will not count against an individual's income or assets for means-tested welfare programs. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will also conduct annual reviews and provide reports to Congress, with the potential to offer additional compensation for ongoing medical or other needs.
Yes· 3 of 7
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?+9
The bill provides critical financial compensation and support for individuals with severe lifelong physical disabilities resulting from in utero thalidomide exposure.
Would people over 65 be better off under this?+8
The bill directly benefits the elderly population of surviving individuals exposed to thalidomide in the 1950s and 1960s.
Would retired people be better off under this?+8
The program supports aging survivors who have faced decades of unreimbursed medical costs during their retirement years.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Direct Financial Compensation: Under Section 3(d)(1), approved individuals will receive a payment of $150,000 to help address the decades of unreimbursed medical costs and lack of formal recognition they have faced.
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Protection of Welfare Benefits: Under Section 3(e) and Section 5(b), compensation provided under this Act cannot be considered when calculating an individual's income or assets for any means-tested welfare program, ensuring recipients do not lose vital assistance.
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Tax Relief: Under Section 6, the compensation received under this Act is explicitly excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes, allowing survivors to keep the entirety of their financial support.
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Potential for Ongoing Support: Under Section 5(a), the Secretary of Health and Human Services may provide additional compensation to recipients following annual reviews to help meet their ongoing medical or other needs.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Citizenship and Residency Restrictions: Under Section 3(c)(3), individuals are barred from submitting a petition if they are not American citizens or permanent residents at the time of submission, or if they were not citizens or permanent residents at the time of their thalidomide exposure.
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Strict Application Deadline: Under Section 3(c)(1), no petitions may be submitted under the program after May 31, 2034, which cuts off future applicants after that date.
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Petition Limit: Under Section 3(c)(2), individuals are restricted to submitting no more than one petition under the program.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For People With Disabilities+9Good For Retirees+8Good For Seniors+8Good For Low Income Households+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2Increases Federal Power+1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights+3
- 10/28/2025
- Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Education and Workforce, Financial Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House