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HR8484FEDERALin_committee
High Impact

Hazard Pay for Health Care Heroes Act (H.R. 8484)

Original title: Hazard Pay for Health Care Heroes Act

April 23, 2026

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Where This Stands

Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Signed

Currently in_committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Last action
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.Apr 23, 2026

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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The Frame

What this does

If passed, this bill would create a federal funding stream for health care facilities to provide up to $25,000 annually in hazard pay to eligible workers during declared emergencies.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Health care workers

Eligible workers may receive additional hourly compensation and enhanced safety protections during declared emergencies.

Nonprofit health care facilities

These facilities are eligible to apply for federal grants to fund hazard pay and safety measures for their staff.

What changed

Current stage: in_committee.

What's next

Floor Vote.

Summary

This bill proposes a federal grant program to provide extra pay and safety resources to essential health care workers during declared emergencies or disasters. It allows health care facilities to receive funding to provide up to $13 per hour in additional hazard pay to eligible staff.

Key Facts

  • Establishes a grant program for public and private nonprofit health care facilities and home health agencies.
  • Provides hazard pay of up to $13 per hour in addition to regular wages for eligible workers.
  • Caps total annual hazard pay at $25,000 per eligible worker.
  • Defines 'eligible health care worker' as an essential worker whose duties cannot be performed remotely.
  • Includes medical technologists, public health workers, orderlies, and environmental/janitorial staff in health care settings as 'essential health care workers'.
  • Allows grant funds to be used for safety measures like personal protective equipment and alternative transit.
  • Applies to work performed during declared federal, state, local, territorial, or Tribal emergencies or disasters.
  • Authorizes 'such sums as may be necessary' to be appropriated for the program.
  • Grants are contingent on the Secretary determining that the work or commute is hazardous.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who qualifies as an essential health care worker under this bill?
It includes health care providers, medical technologists, public health workers, orderlies, janitorial/custodial staff in health care settings, and other roles deemed essential by the Secretary.
Does this pay apply to all health care workers?
No, it applies only to essential workers whose jobs cannot be performed remotely and who are working during a declared emergency or disaster.
How much extra money could a worker receive?
Workers could receive up to $13 per hour in hazard pay, with a total cap of $25,000 per year.

Why It Matters

If passed, this bill would create a federal funding stream for health care facilities to provide up to $25,000 annually in hazard pay to eligible workers during declared emergencies.

News Coverage

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Sponsors

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Expansion of Emergency Labor Protections

The bill explicitly includes janitorial and custodial staff in health care settings as essential workers, broadening the scope of traditional health care labor policy.

Connected Entities

organizationCommittee on Energy and CommerceCommittee to which the bill was referredMap →
personMs. Lee of PennsylvaniaPrimary sponsor of the billMap →

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance75
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy40
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment10
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz30
    Current news / social attention level

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