Rep. Delgado Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Support Pandemic Response Efforts and Address Local Health Care Workforce Shortages

Statement

This week, U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19) introduced a bipartisan bill to support and incentivize retired health care workers and first responders to return to work, participate in pandemic response efforts, and help alleviate workforce shortages in local hospitals. The Health Care Worker and Social Security Beneficiary Choice Act, introduced by Reps. Delgado, Katko (NY-24), Trone (MD-6), and Johnson (SD-AL), ensures retired health care professionals would not lose Social Security benefits if they return to work and assist in the pandemic response.

"We've seen significant staff shortages among health care professionals and first responders throughout the COVID-19 pandemic," said Rep. Delgado. "It is critical that we do everything we can to support those who have been working tirelessly in response to the pandemic. That is why I'm proud to help introduce a bipartisan bill that incentivizes retired nurses, doctors, first responders, and others to return to work and provide support in the COVID-19 response."

Currently, retired healthcare professionals are subject to the Social Security Administration's retirement earnings test if they return to work. If an individual returns to work and earns income above a certain threshold, they lose a portion of their Social Security benefits. As a result, many retired workers who want to return to work to help respond to the pandemic are discouraged from doing so. The Health Care Worker and First Responder Social Security Beneficiary Choice Act suspends the retirement earnings test for retired healthcare workers and first responders who return to work to assist in response efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic or any future public health emergency.

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