Thalidomide Survivors Compensation Act of 2025

The Thalidomide Survivors Compensation Act of 2025 would establish a federal program to provide $150,000 in compensation to U.S. citizens or permanent residents who suffered birth defects from thalidomide exposure in utero during the 1950s-1960s. To qualify, individuals must submit documentation of exposure and injury by May 31, 2034, and the compensation would be tax-exempt and not count toward income calculations for means-tested welfare programs. The Department of Health and Human Services would administer the program, with an annual review process to evaluate its effectiveness and make adjustments as needed. The bill acknowledges approximately 100 U.S. thalidomide survivors remain alive today, facing ongoing medical needs without formal compensation, while 46 countries already provide such support to affected individuals.