[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2825 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 2825

 To amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of 
Health and Human Services to award grants to faith- or community-based 
   organizations to address persistent health inequities and chronic 
                          disease challenges.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 16, 2025

 Mrs. Gillibrand (for herself, Mr. Booker, and Mr. Padilla) introduced 
the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee 
               on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of 
Health and Human Services to award grants to faith- or community-based 
   organizations to address persistent health inequities and chronic 
                          disease challenges.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Health Access Innovation Act of 
2025''.

SEC. 2. HEALTH EQUITY INNOVATION GRANT PROGRAM.

    Part P of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
280g et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 399V-8. HEALTH EQUITY INNOVATION GRANT PROGRAM.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may award grants to eligible 
entities to expand access to culturally and linguistically appropriate 
care, encourage innovation, and address persistent health inequities 
and chronic disease challenges, including by--
            ``(1) paying the costs of necessary medical services, 
        health screenings, tests, and other preventive services;
            ``(2) expanding access to care, such as by--
                    ``(A) expanding access to health care and public 
                health services;
                    ``(B) expanding the diversity of types of health 
                workers;
                    ``(C) expanding the availability of culturally and 
                linguistically appropriate services; and
                    ``(D) addressing other social determinants of 
                health and barriers to receiving timely and quality 
                care;
            ``(3) supporting--
                    ``(A) community health navigators;
                    ``(B) community health workers (also known as 
                `promotores de salud');
                    ``(C) peer support specialists;
                    ``(D) community health representatives; and
                    ``(E) other health care professionals, including 
                those who work with faith- or community-based 
                organizations as trusted messengers with lived 
                experiences to support access and connection to care;
            ``(4) expanding the capacity of the eligible entity; and
            ``(5) carrying out other programs that address social 
        determinants of health.
    ``(b) Eligible Entities.--To be eligible for a grant under this 
section, an entity shall be a faith- or community-based organization 
that--
            ``(1) has demonstrated an ability to address chronic health 
        disparities and health conditions in communities 
        disproportionately affected by such disparities and conditions; 
        and
            ``(2) is located in a medically underserved community or a 
        designated health professional shortage area.
    ``(c) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the 
Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that established or 
operated one or more health workforce or health care access programs 
during a public health emergency.
    ``(d) Community-Based Organization Defined.--In this section, the 
term `community-based organization' has the meaning given the term in 
section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
    ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            ``(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated 
        to carry out this section--
                    ``(A) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2026;
                    ``(B) $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2027;
                    ``(C) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2028;
                    ``(D) $65,000,000 for fiscal year 2029; and
                    ``(E) $70,000,000 for fiscal year 2030.
            ``(2) Administrative costs.--Of the funds appropriated to 
        carry out this section, not more than 5 percent may be used by 
        the Secretary for the administrative costs of carrying out this 
        section.''.
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