Bill · S. 4357· Senate(119-S-4357)
Hazard Pay for Health Care Heroes Act
- Introduced
- 4/21/2026
- Last activity
- 4/21/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- Edward Markey
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Hazard Pay for Health Care Heroes Act" aims to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide emergency grants. These grants are intended to safeguard essential health care workers during emergencies or disasters. The Secretary may provide funds to public or private nonprofit health care facilities and home health agencies. These funds can be used for hazardous duty compensation or for safety measures. Compensation is specifically for work or commutes determined to be hazardous.
Yes· 3 of 8
Does this make the country readier for the next outbreak?+3
The bill provides funding for safety measures and worker compensation to support the health care workforce during public health emergencies.
Does this raise the lowest wage an employer may pay?+3
The bill provides for hazardous duty compensation of up to $13 per hour for essential health care workers during emergencies.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+2
The bill provides extra compensation and safety measures for essential health care workers, many of whom are low-income earners.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-1
The bill authorizes the Secretary to provide emergency grants, which increases government spending.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Hazardous duty compensation: Eligible health care workers can receive additional pay for work performed during an emergency or disaster if the work or commute is determined to be hazardous (Sec. 2, subsection b, paragraph 2, clause A).
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Safety and protection: Grant funds can be used to provide safety measures to protect workers from hazards, including personal protective equipment, alternative transit options, and other safety measures (Sec. 2, subsection b, paragraph 2, clause B).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Limits on compensation: There is a cap on the amount of hazardous duty compensation, which cannot be more than $13 per hour in addition to regular wages (Sec. 2, subsection b, paragraph 2, clause A, subclause ii, clause I).
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Annual pay cap: An individual worker's total hazardous duty compensation is limited to a maximum of $25,000 per year (Sec. 2, subsection b, paragraph 2, clause A, subclause ii, clause II).
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 Low Income Households+2Good For Union Workers+2Good For Middle Class Households+1Good For Young Adults+1
- Healthcare
- Improves Pandemic Preparedness+3Improves Healthcare Access+2
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Minimum Wage+3Reduces Government Spending-1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+1
- 4/22/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/21/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Introduced in Senate
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts