Bill Overview
Title: Health Care Worker and First Responder Social Security Beneficiary Choice Act of 2022
Description: of 2022 This bill excludes wages from employment in the health care workforce or as a first responder during public health emergencies, including the COVID-19 emergency, from income limits that apply to Social Security retirement benefits.
Sponsors: Rep. Katko, John [R-NY-24]
Target Audience
Population: Retired health care workers and first responders during public health emergencies
Estimated Size: 500000
- The bill targets individuals working in the health care and first responder sectors during public health emergencies.
- Health care workers and first responders have been critical during the COVID-19 pandemic and have had increased workloads and exposure to risks.
- Individuals already receiving Social Security retirement benefits may have had their benefits reduced due to earnings from employment in these sectors.
- The global health workforce is estimated to be around 59 million people, but not all would be impacted by this bill, as this requires them to be receiving Social Security retirement benefits.
- First responders include firefighters, police officers, and paramedics. In the U.S., there are about 2.4 million first responders.
- The COVID-19 emergency is a global issue, impacting health care workers and first responders worldwide.
Reasoning
- The policy targets retired healthcare workers and first responders who have returned to work during public health emergencies. Therefore, the interviews focus on individuals in these sectors and their families.
- The budget is restricted, aiming to impact tens of thousands rather than millions, focusing on a niche group of retirees affected by income limits on their Social Security benefits.
- The policy directly impacts financial wellbeing, and indirectly influences their emotional and psychological wellbeing due to lowered financial stress from receiving full Social Security benefits. This is reflected in Cantril wellbeing scores.
- To ensure diversity, interviews include a balance of various medical and first responder roles, geographical locations, and both genders.
- The budget necessitates that only a subset of affected individuals will benefit, with estimates indicating at most 500,000 people targeted in the first year.
Simulated Interviews
Retired Nurse (New York, NY)
Age: 68 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I was concerned about how returning to work affected my Social Security benefits.
- This bill provides much-needed relief during stressful times.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired EMT (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 72 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I felt penalized for trying to help during the pandemic.
- Relief from the policy will significantly ease my financial stress.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Retired Doctor (Houston, TX)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate that the bill acknowledges our contributions.
- This change validates the extra work retired healthcare workers put in.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired Police Officer (Miami, FL)
Age: 70 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It was difficult balancing duty and personal financial needs.
- This policy is a fair recognition of our efforts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Retired Paramedic (Chicago, IL)
Age: 75 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry less now about financial repercussions for helping.
- The bill will improve my quality of life significantly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired Firefighter (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 67 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The extra income was crucial, and this policy secures my benefits.
- Policy adds a layer of financial stability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired Nurse Aide (Boston, MA)
Age: 69 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 9.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Knowing my benefits won't be cut encourages me to continue helping.
- This supportive policy boosts my morale.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired Paramedic (Denver, CO)
Age: 64 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I always believed helping shouldn't come with a financial penalty.
- The policy feels like a just and timely intervention.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Retired Respiratory Therapist (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 66 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I felt this was a needed revision to the existing system.
- It should have been in place from the start of the pandemic.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired Doctor (Seattle, WA)
Age: 74 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Knowing I can serve without fear of financial impact is liberating.
- This legislative change should reassure all retired professionals.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $250000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $300000000)
Year 2: $255000000 (Low: $204000000, High: $306000000)
Year 3: $260000000 (Low: $208000000, High: $312000000)
Year 5: $270000000 (Low: $216000000, High: $324000000)
Year 10: $300000000 (Low: $240000000, High: $360000000)
Year 100: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Key Considerations
- Uncertainty in the exact number of eligible beneficiaries could affect cost estimates.
- Impact on Social Security Trust Funds and their solvency if the initiative significantly broadens over time.
- Political and social expectation management due to short-term benefit amendments in the unique scenario of public health emergencies.