Bill · H.R. 6543· House(119-HR-6543)
Health Care Worker and First Responder Fairness Act
- Introduced
- 12/9/2025
- Last activity
- 12/9/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Sponsored by
- Glenn Thompson
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The ``Health Care Worker and First Responder Fairness Act'' aims to exempt certain earnings from the Social Security retirement earnings test. It specifically excludes wages earned by health care professionals or first responders between January 31, 2020, and May 11, 2023, from excess earnings determinations. Additionally, the bill addresses future public health emergencies. During such emergencies, wages for individuals who receive a waiver may be exempt from the earnings test. The Commissioner of Social Security is tasked with issuing guidance and reporting on issued waivers.
Yes· 3 of 6
Does this strengthen Social Security?+5
The bill strengthens Social Security by exempting specific earnings from the retirement earnings test for healthcare workers and first responders.
Would people over 65 be better off under this?+4
The bill benefits seniors who worked as healthcare professionals or first responders by preventing those wages from reducing their Social Security benefits.
Would middle-income households be better off under this?+3
The bill provides financial relief to middle-income healthcare and first responder professionals by protecting their retirement benefits.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Retirement Income Protection for Past Service: Wages paid to individuals employed as health care professionals or first responders between January 31, 2020, and May 11, 2023, will not be counted toward excess earnings under the Social Security Act. This ensures those earnings do not count against their retirement benefits (Section 2(a)).
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Protection During Future Public Health Emergencies: During a declared public health emergency, wages paid to eligible individuals will not be included in the determination of excess earnings (Section 3(a)).
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Support During Healthcare Shortages: If a public health emergency results in a shortage of healthcare workers, the Commissioner of Social Security can issue waivers to health care professionals or first responders, allowing them to be considered "eligible individuals" for the earnings exemption (Section 3(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated in the provided text.
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 Seniors+4Good For Middle Class Households+3Good For Union Workers+2
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+3Improves Pandemic Preparedness+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Social Security+5
- 12/16/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/9/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
April McClain DelaneyDemocrat · Maryland
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia