4 versions

CosmeticWhat changed in PLACED ON CALENDAR SENATEcompared with INTRODUCED IN HOUSE (Apr 10, 2025)

Technical corrections only. The later version, v4, includes procedural updates indicating the bill passed the House of Representatives and was subsequently placed on the Senate calendar, along with associated formatting and metadata. No substantive policy changes were made to the bill's legislative text.

Skipping v2 (REPORTED IN HOUSE) and v3 (ENGROSSED IN HOUSE). Those versions changed too little to need their own analysis, so they reuse INTRODUCED IN HOUSE's. Changes are measured from the most recent version analyzed on its own.

H.R. 2846119th CongressIntroduced Apr 10, 2025

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).

Passed HouseHealthSubstantive

View bill text

Sponsor: Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6]
Committees: Energy and Commerce Committee (primary)
Last action: Sep 16, 2026

This analysis was written for v1 (INTRODUCED IN HOUSE, Apr 10, 2025). PLACED ON CALENDAR SENATE changed too little to need its own, so it reuses that one rather than a rewrite. The differences between the two are summarized above. View v1

Bottom line

This bill standardizes leave policies for Public Health Service commissioned officers by aligning them with those of the U.S. Army, aiming for parity across uniformed services.

What it actually does

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to extend the leave provisions currently applicable to commissioned officers of the Army under Chapter 40 of Title 10, U.S. Code, to commissioned officers of the Public Health Service (PHS) and their beneficiaries. It also repeals the existing PHS-specific leave section, thereby standardizing leave policies across these uniformed services. The effect is to ensure PHS officers receive the same leave benefits as Army officers.

Proponents argue

Supporters argue that this bill promotes equity and consistency across the uniformed services by ensuring that PHS commissioned officers receive the same leave benefits as their counterparts in the Army. This standardization can improve morale, recruitment, and retention within the PHS, recognizing their critical contributions to public health and national security.

Opponents contend

No specific opposition is typically raised against standardizing administrative benefits like leave across uniformed services, as it generally promotes fairness and reduces administrative complexity. Potential concerns, if any, might relate to unforeseen administrative burdens during the transition or minor fiscal impacts, though these are generally considered negligible compared to the benefits of parity.

The bill is extremely short and straightforward, allowing for a quick and complete understanding of its provisions.

Section 1(a)

Extension of Military Leave Benefits to PHS Officers

prominently featuredstraightforward

This provision integrates Chapter 40 of Title 10 of the U.S. Code, which outlines leave policies for Army commissioned officers, into the Public Health Service Act. This means that PHS commissioned officers and their beneficiaries will now be subject to the same rules regarding annual leave, sick leave, parental leave, and other forms of authorized absence as those serving in the Army.

GroupImpactMechanismScale

GroupCommissioned officers of the Public Health ServiceImpactStandardized leave benefits, potentially increased or clarified leave entitlements.MechanismDirect statutory amendment linking PHS Act to Title 10.ScaleAffects all current and future PHS commissioned officers.

GroupBeneficiaries of PHS commissioned officersImpactAccess to leave benefits (e.g., parental leave) as defined under Title 10.MechanismDirect statutory amendment.ScaleAffects families of PHS commissioned officers.

Supporters argue

Supporters contend that aligning PHS officer leave with Army standards ensures equitable treatment across uniformed services, recognizing the similar demands and sacrifices made by PHS personnel. This parity is crucial for recruitment, retention, and morale, making the PHS a more attractive career path.

Critics contend

No specific opposition is typically raised against this provision, as it aims to standardize benefits across uniformed services, which is generally seen as fair and administratively efficient. Any potential opposition would likely focus on minor administrative adjustments rather than the principle itself.

Tradeoffs

The primary tension is balancing the unique operational needs of the PHS with the desire for uniformity across all uniformed services. While standardization simplifies administration and promotes equity, it might require minor adjustments to PHS-specific operational protocols.

Section 1(b)

Repeal of Section 219 of the Public Health Service Act

mentioned in summarystraightforward

This section repeals the existing Section 219 of the Public Health Service Act, which previously governed leave for PHS officers. This repeal is a conforming amendment, ensuring that the new Title 10 leave provisions are the sole governing authority for PHS commissioned officers' leave, preventing conflicting regulations.

FOUND

The bill incorporates "Chapter 40, Leave" from Title 10, United States Code, into the Public Health Service Act. This means the specific details of leave entitlements for PHS officers are not explicitly stated in H.R. 2846 but are instead found by reference in a separate, extensive body of law.

Section 1(a)

Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice for incorporating existing bodies of law without reprinting them, promoting brevity and consistency across related statutes. It is not intended to be evasive.

Case for: Supporters argue that incorporating by reference is an efficient legislative technique that avoids redundancy and ensures that PHS officers' leave policies automatically align with any future changes made to military leave policies under Title 10.

Case against: Critics might argue that incorporating by reference makes the law less accessible to the average reader or even to PHS officers themselves, requiring them to navigate multiple legal texts to understand their entitlements fully.

Estimated impact: This provision fundamentally changes the legal framework governing leave for approximately 6,000 commissioned officers of the PHS, aligning their benefits with those of the Army.

About this analysis. AI-Generated from the official bill text and available committee reports. Gaps in available data are noted explicitly. Verify important details with the official Congress.gov record.

CosmeticWhat changed in PLACED ON CALENDAR SENATEcompared with INTRODUCED IN HOUSE (Apr 10, 2025)

H.R. 2846119th CongressIntroduced Apr 10, 2025

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).

Passed HouseHealthSubstantive

View bill text

Sponsor: Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6]
Committees: Energy and Commerce Committee (primary)
Last action: Sep 16, 2026

Bottom line

This bill standardizes leave policies for Public Health Service commissioned officers by aligning them with those of the U.S. Army, aiming for parity across uniformed services.

What it actually does

Proponents argue

Opponents contend

The bill is extremely short and straightforward, allowing for a quick and complete understanding of its provisions.

Section 1(a)

Extension of Military Leave Benefits to PHS Officers

prominently featuredstraightforward

GroupImpactMechanismScale

Supporters argue

Critics contend

Tradeoffs

Section 1(b)

Repeal of Section 219 of the Public Health Service Act

mentioned in summarystraightforward

FOUND

Section 1(a)

Estimated impact: This provision fundamentally changes the legal framework governing leave for approximately 6,000 commissioned officers of the PHS, aligning their benefits with those of the Army.