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119-s-4357119th CongressWALLET

Hazard Pay for Health Care Heroes Act

Sponsored By: Senator Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

Introduced

Summary

Hazard pay and safety grants for essential health care workers. This bill would create a federal grant program to pay extra hazard wages and fund safety measures for health workers who must work in person during declared emergencies.

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  • Essential workers: In-person health care workers could receive hazardous duty pay of up to $13 per hour above regular wages, with a $25,000 cap per worker per year.
  • Providers and agencies: Public and private nonprofit health care facilities and home health agencies could get grants to pay hazard pay or buy safety measures such as personal protective equipment and alternative transit.
  • Scope and rules: Coverage would apply during Stafford Act disasters, national emergencies, public health emergencies, and state, local, territorial, or Tribal declarations. The bill defines eligible roles broadly to include direct care workers, medical technologists, orderlies, environmental services staff, public health workers, and other roles the Secretary names as essential.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Hazard pay for health workers

If enacted, HHS would give grants to health facilities and home health agencies to pay hazard pay and buy safety items like PPE and alternative transit. You would be able to receive up to $13 per hour extra for hazardous hours, paid in addition to your regular wages. Total hazard pay to any worker could not exceed $25,000 per year. You would qualify only if your job cannot be done remotely and the work was during a declared emergency or disaster. Funding would be provided only through future appropriations.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

MA • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 4/22/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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