The ISMA Government Relations team is aware of discussions at the federal level about potential hazardous duty pay for doctors and other health care professionals working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a story that appeared in The Hill on April 7, U.S. Senate Democrats have proposed giving doctors, nurses and other essential workers, such as grocery store clerks, up to $25,000 in hazard pay as part of the phase-four coronavirus relief bill.

In addition to the heightened risk of exposure to COVID-19, ISMA is concerned about the additional personal expenses that health care workers incur so they can continue in their duties. Many have been forced to pay for other lodging to prevent exposing their loved ones to the novel coronavirus and to pay for child care, because of school closures.

“While many questions remain about what qualifies a physician for COVID-19 hazardous duty pay and how it would be implemented, the ISMA supports the idea in principle for physicians working on the front lines of this public health emergency,” ISMA Executive Vice President Julie Reed, JD, wrote in response to a question from Fox 59.

“The shortage of personal protective equipment for physicians is making the treatment of COVID-19 patients that much more dangerous and difficult to prevent their own infection. We look forward to the continued discussions about hazard pay for our health care heroes, who are putting themselves and their families at tremendous risk.”

The ISMA Government Relations team will continue to monitor the discussion of hazard pay for health care workers and keep members informed of any developments.