Summary of Bill HR 2846

Bill Information

• Bill Number: HR 2846
• Title: To amend title II of the Public Health Service Act to include as an additional right or privilege of commissioned officers of the Public Health Service (and their beneficiaries) certain leave provided under title 10, United States Code to commissioned officers of the Army (or their beneficiaries).
• Status: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-327.
• Introduced: April 10, 2025
• Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

HR 2846 aims to amend the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to provide commissioned officers of the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) and their beneficiaries with access to certain leave benefits that are currently available to commissioned officers of the Army. This change seeks to align the leave policies of USPHS officers with those of other uniformed services, addressing a significant disparity in benefits.

Key Provisions

• Amendment to the PHSA: The bill proposes to add a new section (22) under Section 221(a) of the PHSA, which will incorporate leave benefits similar to those provided under Title 10 of the United States Code for Army officers.
• Repeal of Existing Law: The bill also includes a provision to repeal Section 219 of the PHSA, which currently governs leave for USPHS officers.

Impact

• Beneficiaries: The primary beneficiaries of this legislation will be the more than 6,000 commissioned officers of the USPHS and their families. These officers are involved in critical public health missions both domestically and internationally, including responses to health emergencies and disasters.
• Leave Benefits: The bill will enable USPHS officers to access various types of leave, including:
  • Extended parental leave
  • Rest and recuperation leave
  • Emergency leave
  • Court appearance leave

This change is expected to enhance the morale and well-being of USPHS officers, who are currently the only uniformed federal personnel without these leave benefits.

Procedural Aspects

• Committee Actions:
  • The Subcommittee on Health held a legislative hearing on July 16, 2025, and forwarded the bill to the full Committee on Energy and Commerce on September 10, 2025.
  • The full Committee reported the bill favorably on September 17, 2025, with a unanimous vote of 46-0.
• Current Status: As of October 3, 2025, the bill has been placed on the Union Calendar and is awaiting further legislative action.

Sponsors

• Primary Sponsor: Chrissy Houlahan
• Cosponsors: Eleanor Holmes Norton, Jill N. Tokuda, Brian K. Fitzpatrick, Don Bacon

Related Legislation

• Companion Bill: S 1440

This summary provides an overview of HR 2846, highlighting its purpose, key provisions, and the potential impact on USPHS officers and their families. The bill represents a significant step towards equity in leave benefits among the uniformed services.