Republican Rep. John Katko wants to provide incentives to retired health care workers to help with pandemic response and alleviate a nationwide staffing shortage.

The bill would suspend the retirement earnings test for retired health care workers and first responders who provide assistance in response during the pandemic or future public health emergency.

“Central New York hospitals and medical facilities have struggled with staffing issues throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This has forced hospitals to reduce their operating capabilities amid an influx in patients,” Katko said. “To alleviate the staffing shortage, I have reintroduced the Health Care Worker and First Responder Social Security Beneficiary Choice Act. Under current law, retirees under the full retirement age risk losing Social Security benefits if they choose to assist in pandemic response efforts. This bipartisan measure would provide a fix by incentivizing retired healthcare workers and first responders to participate in response efforts during this pandemic and any future public health emergency.”

The bill, which has bipartisan backing in Congress, comes as New York has struggled to retain health care workers over the last two years of the pandemic. The state last week postponed a booster shot requirement that was sent to take effect on Monday amid concerns over a shortage of health care workers.

New York in recent weeks has suspended elective surgeries and other procedures at hospitals in the state when staffed beds were in demand during the surge of cases this winter due to the omicron variant.

State officials have used members of the New York National Guard to supplement health care facilities that have been facing staffing shortages.