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New Legislation Aims to Equalize Benefits for Public Health Reservists
A new legislative proposal seeks to extend benefits enjoyed by other U.S. military service members to a dedicated group of public health professionals who formed a reserve corps during the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative, titled the Parity for Public Health Service Ready Reserve Act (H.R. 9870), has been introduced by Representatives Greg Landsman (D-Ohio) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Delaware).
The proposed legislation aims to amend existing federal laws to ensure that members of the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps Ready Reserve can access the same leave, medical, and dental benefits as those available to other military reservists. Moreover, it is designed to provide education benefits under the G.I. Bill.
The USPHS Ready Reserve, which is comprised of health professionals within the Department of Health and Human Services, was established to support various health response initiatives at regional, national, and international levels. Members commit to training one weekend each month and two weeks annually, fulfilling a six-year obligation while remaining prepared to respond to urgent public health crises.
Currently, while members are protected under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and can qualify for benefits such as the Thrift Savings Plan and Tricare Prime after 30 days of active service, they are not eligible for the full range of benefits afforded to other uniformed reservists. The sponsors of the bill argue that this gap in benefits needs to be addressed.
In a statement, Blunt Rochester emphasized the lessons learned from the pandemic, particularly regarding the necessity of bolstering public health infrastructure. “We must ensure that our public health professionals receive the benefits they deserve,” she said. “The Parity for Public Health Service Ready Reserve Act would provide equal benefits and privileges to members of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps—the only national uniformed service solely dedicated to maintaining public health and safety.” She asserted that it is time to rectify this imbalance and expressed pride in supporting the legislation.
Landsman also stressed the importance of the Ready Reserve in contributing to national security, stating that these reservists “deserve full funding and benefits as they work day and night to protect and safeguard our country.”
The proposed legislation has been assigned to the House committees on Armed Services, Oversight and Accountability, Veterans’ Affairs, and Energy and Commerce for review and consideration.
Support for the bill is growing, with several officer organizations endorsing it, including the Military Officers Association of America, the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Officers Association, and the Reserve Organization of America.
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