Bill Overview
Title: Federal Employee Short-Term Disability Insurance Act of 2022
Description: 2022 This bill requires the Office of Personnel Management to establish and administer a short-term disability insurance program for federal employees who suffer a non-work related injury or disability, take leave to care for a family member, or take leave to adopt a child or become a foster parent.
Sponsors: Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Target Audience
Population: Federal employees
Estimated Size: 2100000
- The bill is specifically focused on federal employees, who will be directly impacted by the legislation.
- The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) manages 2.1 million federal employees, which represents a number close to the total number of federal workers who might opt into the short-term disability plan.
- Short-term disability impacts those who experience a non-work related injury or disability, impacting a subset of the federal employee population within a given year.
- Additional indirect impact includes family members of federal employees who may be sick or in need of care, adopted children, or foster children.
- The global population doesn't include non-US citizens as the bill is specific to US federal employees.
Reasoning
- The federal employee population is a specialized demographic with distinct characteristics affecting their wellbeing, such as job security and benefits availability.
- The policy's impact is likely to be high among those federal workers in circumstances covered (e.g., non-work related injury, caring for family).
- Budget constraints prioritize impact evaluations for scenarios with anticipated frequent need, such as health-related leaves.
- Wellbeing impacts from the policy are modeled on a sample of federal employees with mixed demographics including age, location, and familial responsibilities.
Simulated Interviews
Federal Administrative Assistant (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The short-term disability insurance gives me peace of mind knowing I can take necessary leaves without financial stress.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Veterans Affairs Officer (San Diego, CA)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy aligns with my values, though I don't currently need it, it's reassuring to have it available.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Customs and Border Protection Officer (Miami, FL)
Age: 50 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I have concerns about coverage limits, but generally supportive of increased support for family care.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
National Park Ranger (Austin, TX)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Although unlikely to use the benefit shortly, knowing it exists enhances job satisfaction.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Environmental Protection Specialist (Seattle, WA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It is a useful safety net, particularly for those nearing retirement or with health concerns.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Public Health Analyst (New York, NY)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy has provided significant relief during the adoption process, allowing focus on family integration.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
NASA Engineer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 46 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The availability of short-term leave is a plus for unforeseen family health events.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Social Security Administrator (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 61 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Short-term disability benefits ease late-career uncertainties, boosting morale.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
IT Specialist (Denver, CO)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy positively impacts job satisfaction and future planning for potential family expansion.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Postal Worker (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The coverage significantly helps with the financial aspects of becoming a new foster parent.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $700000000 (Low: $500000000, High: $900000000)
Year 2: $710000000 (Low: $510000000, High: $910000000)
Year 3: $720000000 (Low: $520000000, High: $920000000)
Year 5: $740000000 (Low: $540000000, High: $940000000)
Year 10: $780000000 (Low: $580000000, High: $980000000)
Year 100: $1000000000 (Low: $700000000, High: $1300000000)
Key Considerations
- Initial setup and administrative costs for the Office of Personnel Management to manage the program.
- Potential economic stabilizing effect by maintaining income for affected federal employees.
- Long-term fiscal sustainability and funding source requirement for the program.