Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., has proposed a plan that aims to help the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps recruit, retain and mobilize members to better respond to national and global public health crises. [Health News Illinois]

The bill would give corps members access to benefits and entitlements provided to reserve components of all other uniformed services, including leave rights and GI Bill educational benefits.

The corps is one of the nation’s eight uniformed services and has an exclusive focus on protecting the country during public health emergencies like Ebola, natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Duckworth.

“One of the most critical lessons we can learn from the COVID-19 pandemic is how important it is for our country to be prepared for the next public health crisis,” Duckworth said. “Supporting our Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and ensuring Ready Reserve Corps service members have the same benefits as our other uniformed service members will help create more opportunities for Americans to serve and protect our country against current and future public health emergencies.”

Despite dating back to 1798, the corps lacked an operational ready reserve component or public health emergency response strike team until the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act was signed into law in 2020, according to Duckworth. The initial authorization left gaps in personnel policy and benefits relative to other branches.

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