This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a new program for emergency grants aimed at safeguarding essential healthcare workers. These grants are designed to be disbursed to public or private nonprofit healthcare facilities and home health agencies. The program is triggered by various declared emergencies or disasters, including national, public health, or State, local, territorial, or Tribal emergencies. Grant recipients are mandated to use the funds primarily for providing hazardous duty compensation to eligible healthcare workers. This compensation applies when their work or commute is deemed hazardous during an emergency, offering up to $13 per hour in addition to regular wages, with an annual cap of $25,000 per worker. Funds may also be utilized for other safety measures , such as alternative transit options and personal protective equipment, to protect workers from hazards related to the emergency or disaster.
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a new program for emergency grants aimed at safeguarding essential healthcare workers. These grants are designed to be disbursed to public or private nonprofit healthcare facilities and home health agencies. The program is triggered by various declared emergencies or disasters, including national, public health, or State, local, territorial, or Tribal emergencies. Grant recipients are mandated to use the funds primarily for providing hazardous duty compensation to eligible healthcare workers. This compensation applies when their work or commute is deemed hazardous during an emergency, offering up to $13 per hour in addition to regular wages, with an annual cap of $25,000 per worker. Funds may also be utilized for other safety measures , such as alternative transit options and personal protective equipment, to protect workers from hazards related to the emergency or disaster.