Congress’s past decision to cut health benefits for railroad workers is facing opposition from railroad companies and unions. The cuts decrease sickness and unemployment benefits for railroad workers, and railroad companies and unions are stating that these decreases will hurt and decrease the workforce in the railroad industry. Health benefits for railroad workers are administered by a federal agency, but the costs of health benefits are paid entirely by the railroad industry. Railroad companies pay for benefits for their workers, and companies and unions are hoping that legislation to remove health benefit restrictions will be passed, as the issue is regarding private dollars and not public funds.
See "Railroad companies and unions unite against health benefit restrictions placed by Congress", Lilliana Byington, Diego Areas Munhoz, Bloomberg Law, July 24, 2023