Most elements of everyday life have been back to normal for a while regardless of whether COVID-19 is still considered a global pandemic.

Congressman Glenn Thompson has introduced a bill that would aim to learn a lesson from that experience for healthcare workers and first responders.

The bill is called the Health Care Worker and First Responder Fairness Act and it would exempt healthcare workers and first responders from Social Security’s “Retirement Earnings Test” (RET) during public health emergencies.

“During the COVID-19 Pandemic, many health care workers and first responders came out of retirement to help protect their communities,” Thompson said in a recent newsletter. “By doing so, some of their retirement benefits were negatively impacted.

“This is unfair to those who stepped up in a time of need,” he added. “This legislation will correct this problem and remove an unnecessary barrier to future service in case of a national emergency or public health crisis.”

Thompson introduced the bill along with Rep. David Trone, a Maryland Democrat.

A joint statement from the representatives states that the RET applies to individuals who have not reached full retirement age but want to claim Social Security benefits.

“If those individuals are still working and earning wages, their Social Security benefits are reduced,” the statement said. “The bill would retroactively restore benefits for health care professionals and first responders who had them reduced or eliminated during the COVID-19 public health emergency and exempt these individuals from being subject to the RET in future public health crises.”

“Having spent nearly 30 years in rural health care before coming to Congress, I know firsthand the sacrifices made by frontline workers and first responders,” Thompson said. “In a time of great need, many people came out of retirement without realizing their benefits would be impacted.”

“Frontline workers and first responders across the country dedicate their lives to serving others, often putting their own health and safety on the line,” Rep. Trone added. “When we faced an unprecedented pandemic, many of them stepped up once again to protect their communities.

“The very least we can do is ensure that their Social Security benefits aren’t impacted because of their continued commitment to serve. That’s exactly what this legislation will do.”

The representatives say that the National Rural Health Association and the Federation of American Hospitals support the proposal.