ROA’s legislation and military policy director, Matthew Schwartzman, provides an Up to the Minuteman Update on the biggest benefits parity package for the U.S. Public Health Service Ready Reserve in history, July 2023.

ROA spearheads introduction of Public Health Service Ready Reserve Act
Putting ROA’s longstanding support for the uniformed reservists of the U.S. Public Health Service into legislation, Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) introduced the Public Health Service Ready Reserve Act on July 13. This legislation is the most significant benefits parity package for the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Ready Reserve in history.

To watch ROA’s Up to the Minuteman Update on this legislation, click here.

The Public Health Service Ready Reserve Act codifies the PHS Ready Reserve’s structure and enables access to benefits and entitlements for its members, including Post-9/11 GI Bill assistance, dual compensation, leave, and medical and dental care under TRICARE. The bill reflects priorities ROA suggested after meeting with USPHS officials and learning what they need to support their Ready Reserve.

“ROA thanks Senator Duckworth for working with ROA to introduce this important legislation,” said ROA’s Executive Director, retired Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey E. Phillips. “With many Public Health Service officers deployed in support of the COVID-19 response, ROA was instrumental in establishing the USPHS Ready Reserve Corps in 2020. The corps’ contribution to ensuring the health of our nation and overall medical readiness cannot be overstated. The Public Health Service Ready Reserve Act would greatly enhance the PHS Ready Reserve’s ability to serve the nation’s medical readiness. ROA is proud to support this bill and will fight for its swift signing into law.”

In March, at the Minute Man Memorial Headquarters on Capitol Hill, ROA joined forces with the Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Service to host a uniformed services education forum on service in the USPHS Ready Reserve Corps and several other legislative initiatives ROA and COA are working on together.

Attendees included congressional staff and representatives from the USPHS Ready Reserve Corps, including Rear Adm. Susan Orsega, Senior Advisor to Assistant Secretary for Health and U.S. Surgeon General Vice Adm. Vivek H. Murthy.

The Public Health Service Ready Reserve Act is a direct byproduct of these efforts and includes seven of the proposals spotlighted at the forum. 

“COA appreciates the continued efforts of Senator Tammy Duckworth to support the mission of the USPHS and the Ready Reserve. The Fiscal Responsibility Act had devastating consequences to the USPHS Ready Reserve, and this legislation will ensure funding for a vital resource of the USPHS in its fight to protect, promote, and enhance the health and safety of our nation,” said COA’s Executive Director, Jacqueline Rychnovsky.

“The Senator has proven to be an ally to the USPHS once again. Earlier this year, COA awarded Senator Duckworth with the Congressional Public Health Leader Award for her ongoing support of the Commissioned Corps. COA also appreciates the partnership with the Reserve Organization of America. COA and ROA have been hard at work all year fighting to promote and enhance the USPHS Ready Reserve.”

ROA and COA’s fight to promote and enhance the USPHS Ready Reserve includes working to restore $84 million in funding cut from the Ready Reserve program by the Fiscal Responsibility Act, signed into law on June 3. 

Immediately after the act’s signing into law, ROA’s Director of Legislation and Military Policy Matthew Schwartzman, visited more than 20 congressional offices to call attention to the harmful effects of this deficit driven decision.

“ROA understands the risks of defaulting on the nation’s debt. However, the USPHS Ready Reserve program is not the place to look for budget cuts,” said Schwartzman. “The workforce reductions driven by the act will degrade the nation’s ability to rapidly respond to public health emergencies, such as those we see with increasing frequency. ROA urges Congress to restore this funding without delay.” 

To join ROA’s Minuteman Movement and help influence Congress to restore the $84 million in lost funding, please click here.

On July 16, the USPHS celebrated 225 years of protecting and promoting the nation’s health and safety. ROA commends the officers of the USPHS Commissioned Corps for their commitment and service to the nation. ROA commits itself to the cause of ensuring the force’s readiness and the protection of those that serve in it.

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