HR 1597119th CongressIn Committee

Compassion for Vulnerable and Struggling Workers Act

Introduced: Feb 26, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill, titled the Compassion for Vulnerable and Struggling Workers Act, would create a temporary eligibility pathway for certain former federal civil service employees to enroll in or继续 coverage under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP). Specifically, it would allow individuals who were involuntarily removed from federal service during a defined period (January 20, 2025, through January 1, 2026) and who meet one of several humanitarian or performance-based criteria to elect FEHBP coverage (or to continue coverage if they were already enrolled). The bill ties the funding for these FEHBP contributions to federal funds saved by a newly referenced agency, the United States DOGE Service, as described in a presidential executive order on government efficiency. Overall, the measure aims to provide health benefits to a narrow group of workers who were wrongfully terminated, though the eligibility window and conditions make it quite limited in scope.

Key Points

1Creates eligibility to enroll in FEHBP for former federal employees.
2Applies to those involuntarily removed from civil service between January 20, 2025 and January 1, 2026.
3Eligible individuals must meet at least one of these conditions: removed without cause; their last performance review was at least fully successful (or equivalent); they were pregnant at the time of removal; or they were diagnosed with cancer in the five years prior to removal.
4Contributions for the FEHBP coverage (both government and individual) would be funded from federal funds saved by the United States DOGE Service, per a specific executive order about government efficiency issued on January 20, 2025.
5The act is titled the “Compassion for Vulnerable and Struggling Workers Act” and is focused on FEHBP eligibility and related funding mechanics.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Former federal civil service employees who were involuntarily terminated within the specified window and who meet the qualifying conditions, enabling them to enroll in or resume FEHBP coverage.Secondary group/area affected: The federal government and FEHBP program administration (OPM and health plan issuers) would handle new enrollment and funding arrangements; potential near-term budget implications depend on enrollment take-up and plan costs.Additional impacts: The funding mechanism relies on savings from a newly described “United States DOGE Service” tied to a presidential executive order on government efficiency, which introduces an unusual or speculative funding source and could raise questions about appropriations, sustainability, and administrative implementation. There may also be administrative questions about defining “involuntary removal,” evaluating qualifying criteria, and ensuring fair treatment for affected employees.

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