WASHINGTON (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - U.S. Senator Bob Casey says frontline healthcare workers and those who support them in the fight against COVID-19 deserve more than just the nation's gratitude. Casey says they deserve something tangible.
What he has in mind is up to nearly $10,000 a year for four years. His legislation to be introduced this week is called the Pandemic Responders Service Award Act.
"If there is a front of the frontline, these are the workers that are there," said Casey in a conference call with reporters. "It's a different war. It's not a shooting war where guns are being discharged and people are being killed or wounded. It's a war against this virus," said Casey.
Eligible for the funding would be emergency medical workers, hospital and health center workers, people working in doctors offices and clinics, home healthcare, and nursing homes and residential care. Janitorial, laundry, food service and other support workers would be included.
The Senator said the money could be used for three purposes. "One would be paying existing student loan debt," said Casey. "It could be used to obtain higher education ... funds in this act could also be used for vocational and technical training and other non-college degree programs."
Casey says the funding could also go toward future savings for things like a new business, a home, or retirement.
The funding for eligible recipients would last for up to four years and be equal to the average cost of a public school in-state higher education which Casey says this year is $9,970.
So far no estimate on the cost of the program should it pass or how many people would be eligible. Casey is hoping to bi-partisan support.
"I just think we have to add more to the policy here and the dollars to be responsive both to the public health crisis and to the economic crisis that flows in its wake," said Casey.