Federal Employee Short-Term Disability Insurance Act of 2026

A federal bill that would let government workers buy short-term disability insurance has been introduced in Congress and referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., said the measure would give federal employees access to group-rate coverage for temporary injuries, disabilities, pregnancy and pregnancy-related illness.

The legislation would require workers to pay the full cost of premiums, while insurers could not deny coverage or charge higher rates because of preexisting conditions. Norton has said the bill would fill a gap in the federal benefits system, which offers disability support for workers who become permanently disabled but does not provide a dedicated short-term disability program.

For Milwaukee residents who work for the federal government, the proposal could offer a financial safety net during recovery from illness or injury. That matters for local households trying to avoid losing income during a medical setback, especially for workers who may not have enough paid leave to cover an extended absence.

The bill now goes to the House committee for review, and it would need further action in Congress before becoming law.