Protecting Retirement and Health Benefits for Families Act
Protecting Retirement and Health Benefits for Families Act would require five major federal agencies to certify to Congress before implementing certain staffing changes or regional office closures. Specifically, before any covered activity (such as significant staffing cuts or closing regional offices), the head of the agency must certify that the action will not reduce or delay benefits, services, or eligibility determinations, and will not hinder outreach. Each certification must be accompanied by a report detailing how resources or procedures will be adjusted to prevent harm. The bill also directs inspectors general to study the impact of these activities and, if harm is found, empowers the agency to reverse the action by reinstating staff or reopening offices. The act applies to the Social Security Administration, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Internal Revenue Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Department of Housing and Urban Development, with a one-year clock for effectiveness after enactment. In short, the bill adds a formal, Congress-facing check on major staffing or office-closure decisions that could affect how people receive retirement, health, tax, veterans, and housing benefits, and creates oversight to reverse such actions if they negatively affect service or protections.
Key Points
- 1Certification before covered activities: Heads of SSA, CMS, IRS, VA, and HUD must certify to Congress that planned staffing cuts (>5% in a year), regional office closures (>5% in a year), or other budget/structural changes will not impair benefits or services, increase wait times, or weaken outreach.
- 2Accompanying shift plan: Each certification must include a report explaining how resources or procedures will be shifted to prevent negative impacts (e.g., avoiding staff shortages, maintaining timely processing, preserving outreach, and protecting regulatory/enforcement functions).
- 3Inspector General study and reporting: For each covered activity, the relevant Inspector General must study the activity’s impact within one year of certification and again after the activity is carried out, then report findings to Congress.
- 4Reversal authority: If the IG finds that the activity harmed service or benefit provision, the agency must reverse the action (e.g., reinstate staff, reopen closed offices).
- 5Definitions and scope: The act defines “covered activity” (staff cuts over 5% in a year; regional office closures over 5% in a year; budget restructurings or changes that measurably reduce timely/effective service; enforcement/regulatory restructurings that weaken protections) and lists the five agencies covered. It also specifies which Inspector General offices are involved.
- 6Effective date: The act would take effect one year after enactment.