Social Determinants and Health Disparities Legislation
Aligning for Health has been active in advocating for key legislative solutions to address social determinants, including through the introduction of the Leveraging Integrated Networks in Communities (LINC) to Address Social Needs Act (S. 509/H.R. 6072) and the reintroduction of the Social Determinants Accelerator Act of 2021 (H.R. 2503/S. 3039).
Aligning for Health is proud to support the Leveraging Integrated Networks in Communities (LINC) to Address Social Needs Act, which was introduced in the Senate (S.509) by Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) and in the House (H.R. 6072) by Representatives Dan Kildee (D-MI), Jackie Walorski (R-IN), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), and Richard Hudson (R-NC).
The LINC to Address Social Needs Act would assist States in establishing statewide or regional public-private partnerships to better coordinate health care and social services, leveraging local expertise and technology to overcome longstanding challenges in linking people to health, food, housing, child development, job training, and transportation supports and services.
Senate Finance Committee Response on Health Disparities
- On July 8th, 2020, Aligning for Health sent a letter to Senate Finance Committee Chair Grassley (R-IA) in response to a request for input on steps the Committee can take to address health disparities.
- AFH strongly supports the Committee’s efforts to assess and discuss what actionable steps Congress can take to improve access to, and the coordination of, public health, health care, and social services both during and after the public health emergency subsides.
- AFH noted that the Social Determinants Accelerator Act (S. 2986/H.R. 4004) is a bipartisan, bicameral proposal that has been referred for consideration by the Senate Finance Committee and if passed, would take important steps toward improving the health of families on Medicaid by helping to address their social needs.
Senate HELP Response on Preparing for the Next Pandemic
- On June 26th 2020, Aligning for Health sent a letter to Senate HELP Committee Chair Alexander (R-TN) in response to a request for information on recommendations for creating a system of health care resiliency and preparing for the next pandemic.
- AFH recommended strengthening medical and social care alignment, noting that social service networks are generally not connected to the health care system in a sustainable way. Congress should take advantage of this moment to catalyze a large-scale effort to build community-based infrastructure that will efficiently allow health and social providers to collaborate while maintaining accountability among entities for better health outcomes.
- AFH recommended that Congress take up consideration of a proposal to help states develop community integration networks. AFH described the need to provide seed funding to states to develop and launch community integration networks built around a lead entity and which connect payers, providers, community based organizations, and state agencies.
Senate Finance Committee Response on Maternal Health
- On March 20, 2020, Aligning for Health sent a letter to the Senate Finance Committee in response to a request for information on solutions to improve maternal health.
- In its letter, AFH noted that the Social Determinants Accelerator Act (S. 2986/H.R. 4004) would provide funding for states and localities to design and tailor approaches and strategies that meet their residents’ needs, which could be focused on efforts to improve maternal health.
Ways and Means Response on Rural and Underserved Communities Health Task Force
- On November 27, 2019, Aligning for Health sent a letter to the Ways and Means Rural and Underserved Communities Health Task Force in response to a request for information on November 15, 2019. In response to the RFI, AFH described barriers that impede coordination between health and social service programs, and the lack of comprehensive evidence around interventions focused on the social determinants of health, which limits the replicability or scaling of successful interventions.
Care That’s Fair Act of 2021 Letter of Support
Aligning for Health is proud to endorse the Care That’s Fair Act of 2021 (H.R. 4554), introduced by Reps. Butterfield (D-NC) and Joyce (R-OH). This bill would provide grants for support for States to identify and act on racial disparities, and seeks to empower states to utilize medical claims, clinical, and social data to address racial disparities, social determinants of health, and maternal and infant mortality.
The Improving Social Determinants of Health Act of 2020 Letter of Support
Aligning for Health is proud to endorse the Improving Social Determinants of Health Act of 2020 introduced by Rep. Barragan (D-CA), which would authorize the CDC to create a program to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequities by coordinating CDC social determinants of health activities and improve the capacity of public health agencies and community organizations to address social determinants of health.
Aligning for Health thanks Representatives Blunt Rochester (D-NY) and Bilirakis (R-FL) for introducing the Collecting and Analyzing Resources Integral and Necessary for Guidance (CARING) for Social Determinants Act of 2019. The bill would require the Department of Health and Human Services to provide guidance for states to address social determinants of health under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This is an important bipartisan step in the right direction to help states address social determinants of health.
UNDERSTAND ACT Letter of Support
Aligning for Health is proud to support the introduction of S. 1323, the Utilizing National Data, Effectively Reforming Standards and Tools, to Address Negative Determinants of Health (UNDERSTAND) Act, which would improve the collection of data related to the social determinants of health for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.
—
Aligning for Health has also endorsed the following legislation: CARING for Social Determinants Act of 2021 (H.R. 3894); Addressing Social Determinants of Health in Medicare Advantage Act (H.R. 4074); Building a Sustainable Workforce for Healthy Communities Act (S. 3479); White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, Hunger, and Health Act (H.R. 5724/S. 3064); John Lewis Equality in Medicare & Medicaid Treatment (EMMT) Act (S. 4067/H.R. 7755); Social Determinants of Health Data Analysis Act (H.R. 4026); IMPACT to Save Moms Act (H.R. 950/S. 334); Moms Matter Act (H.R. 909/S. 484); Kira Johnson Act (H.R. 1212/S. 1042); Social Determinants for Moms Act (H.R. 943/S. 851).
Other Social Determinants Legislation
Here is a full list, updated regularly, of other pieces of legislation related to social determinants, health disparities, health equity and maternal health in the 118th Congress.
To see a full list of the legislation related to social determinants, health disparities, and health equity from the 116th Congress, click here.
To see a full list of legislation related to social determinants, health disparities/health equity, and maternal health from the 117th Congress, click here.
House of Representatives
H.R. 68 – Housing Fairness Act of 2023
- Introduced by Rep. Green (D-TX), this bill would authorize funds to prevent housing discrimination through the use of nationwide testing, to increase funds for the Fair Housing Initiatives Program.
H.R. 309 – Opportunity to Address College Hunger Act
- Introduced by Reps. Bonamici (D-OR) and 54 cosponsors, this bill would require institutions of higher education to provide notice to students receiving work-study assistance about potential eligibility for participation in the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
- Introduced by Reps. Miller (R-WV) and Chu (D-CA), this bill would allow community supports to meet specific needs of families and children through an electronic care portal under the MaryLee Allen Promoting Safe and Stable Families program. The bill would permit states to use already-allocated money to access online portals that connect families in need with resources such as pregnancy centers, child care programs, food pantries, churches, and non-profits.
H.R. 479 – Targeting Child Care Funds Based on Poverty Act
- Introduced by Rep. Miller (R-WV), this bill would target additional childcare funds by allocating to States based on the number of children in poverty in each state. This legislation will provide federal resources to families who need them most through greater flexibility and access to affordable child care, and paid family and medical leave.
H.R. 491 – Return Home to Housing Act (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Reps. Williams (D-GA), Tenney (R-NY), Jacobs (D-CA) and Garbarino (R-NY), this bill would adjust the rate of per diem payments provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to grantees that provide services to homeless veterans.
H.R. 516 – Fighting Homelessness Through Services and Housing Act*
- Introduced by Reps. Lieu (D-CA), Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), and Garcia (D-CA), this bill would authorize a $1 billion annual grant program within HRSA for housing programs that offer comprehensive services and intensive case management for homeless individuals and families.
H.R. 523 – Veterans Jobs Training Act
- Introduced by Reps. Neguse (D-CO) and Bowman (D-NY), this bill would increase the authorization of appropriations for homeless veteran reintegration programs.
H.R. 645 – Healthy Foundations for Homeless Veterans Act
- Introduced by Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) and nine cosponsors, this bill would permanently authorize the use of certain funds to improve flexibility in the provision of assistance to homeless veterans.
H.R. 706 – SNAP Access for Medically Vulnerable Children Act
- Introduced by Reps. Brown (D-OH), Kaptur (D-OH), Hayes (D-CT), and Bishop (D-GA), this bill would allow households with children with chronic medical conditions to deduct allowable medical expenses incurred by such household member that exceeds $35 per month.
H.R. 773 – Homelessness and Behavioral Health Care Coordination Act
- Introduced by Reps. Dean (D-PA) and Garcia (D-TX), this bill would help persons in the United States experiencing homelessness and significant behavioral health issues, including substance use disorders, by authorizing a grant program within the Department of Housing and Urban Development to assist State and local governments, Continuums of Care, community-based organizations that administer both health and homelessness services, and providers of services to people experiencing homelessness, better coordinate health care and homelessness services.
H.R. 837 – Restoring Communities Left Behind Act
- Introduced by Reps. Kaptur (D-OH), Tlaib (D-MI), and 10 cosponsors, this bill would direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish a grant program to help revitalize certain localities, including through activities such as homeowner rehabilitation assistance, weatherization, improved housing accessibility for seniors and people with disabilities, housing counseling, and more.
H.R. 893 – Heating and Cooling Relief Act*
- Introduced by Rep. Bowman (D-NY) and 35 cosponsors, this bill would amend the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to increase the availability of heating and cooling assistance.
H.R. 981 – One Stop Shop Community Reentry Program Act
- Introduced by Reps. Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) and Brown (D-OH), this bill would authorize implementation grants to community-based nonprofits to operate one-stop reentry centers that centralize housing, job training, mental health counseling, and other vital services in a single location.
- Introduced by Reps. Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Bilirakis (R-FL), this bill would require the Secretary of HHS to issue and disseminate guidance to states to clarify strategies to address social determinants of health under Medicaid and CHIP.
H.R. 1072 – Health Center Community Transformation Hub Act
- Introduced by Reps. Clarke (D-NY) and eight cosponsors, this bill would authorize HRSA to award supplemental funds to health centers that care for medically underserved populations to establish community transformation hubs, a community-based network of organizations capable of addressing the social determinants of health. HRSA and CMS must also issue guidance on sustaining these networks after the supplemental funding terminates.
H.R. 1168 – School Lunch Affordability Act of 2023 (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Reps. Alford (R-MO) and Schrier (D-WA), this bill would require that only a school food authority that had a negative balance in the nonprofit school food service account on June 30th of the year preceding the previous school year shall be required to establish a price for paid lunches.
- Introduced by Rep. Carson (D-IN) and 34 cosponsors, this bill would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to states to support the establishment and operation of grocery stores in underserved communities.
H.R. 1269 – Healthy Meals Help Kids Learn Act
- Introduced by Rep. McGovern (D-MA), this bill would permanently increase federal reimbursement rates of school meals to help address funding challenges, enhance menus, increase access to locally grown food, and support expanded services like afterschool snacks and breakfast in classrooms.
H.R. 1334 – Liberty City Rising Act*
- Introduced by Rep. Wilson (D-FL), this bill would reform requirements regarding the safety and security of families living in public and federally assisted housing located in high-crime areas.
H.R. 1424 – Helping Schools Feed Kids Act (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Reps. Spanberger (D-VA) and Fitzaptrick (R-PA), this bill would extend additional reimbursement rates for certain child nutrition programs.
H.R. 1427 – SNAP Second Chance Act
- Introduced by Reps. Trone (D-MD), Correa (D-CA), McGovern (D-MA), Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Smith (D-WA), and Del. Norton (D-DC), this bill would limit the use of business integrity and reputation factors when determining the eligibility of a retail food store or a wholesale food concern to be approved to redeem supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits.
H.R. 1509 – Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) Reauthorization Act of 2023*
- Introduced by Reps. Lee (D-CA), Brown (D-OH), and Evans (D-PA), this bill would reauthorize the Healthy Food Financing Imitative, a critical public-private partnership that combats America’s obesity epidemic by providing access to affordable, healthy, and fresh food options. HFFI provides loan and grant financing to attract grocery stores and other fresh food retailers to underserved, urban, suburban, and rural areas, and renovates and expands existing stores so they can provide the healthy foods communities need.
H.R. 1510 – Improving Access to Nutrition Act
- Introduced by Rep. Lee (D-CA), Adams (D-NC) and 40 cosponsors, this bill would repeal the particular work requirement that disqualifies able-bodied adults for eligibility to participate in SNAP to ensure that all Americans have access to nutritious food and the ability to stay healthy in everyday life.
H.R. 1708 – Housing is a Human Right Act
- Introduced by Rep. Jayapal (D-WA) and 18 cosponsors, this bill would address root causes of homelessness, meet the needs of community members experiencing harms from homelessness, transition communities towards providing housing for all, end penalization of homelessness, and ensure full democratic participation and inclusion of persons experiencing homelessness.
H.R. 1711 – Rural American Health Corps Act (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Reps. Kustoff (R-TN), Budzinski (D-IL), and Harshbarger (R-TN), this bill would establish a demonstration program to provide payments on eligible loans for individuals who are eligible for the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. The bill would incentivize more health professionals to serve and plant roots in rural communities as a result.
H.R. 1712 – Rural Health Innovation Act (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Reps. Kustoff (R-TN) and Kuster (D-NH), this bill would establish a rural health center innovation awards program and a rural health department enhancement program. The bill would strengthen access to care in rural areas by incentivizing communities to leverage their existing resources to provide for the community’s urgent care needs.
H.R. 1763 – Military Family Nutrition Access Act (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Reps. Panetta (D-CA) and McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), this bill would exclude from income for purposes of eligibility for the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) the basic allowance for housing received by members of the uniformed services. The bill is designed to provide essential support to military families in accessing healthy food and affordable food options.
H.R. 1764 – Military Food Security Act of 2023 (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Reps. Panetta (D-CA), Moore (R-UT), Strickland (D-WA), Bacon (R-NE), Jacobs (D-CA), Levin (D-CA), and McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), this bill would exclude the basic allowance for housing from the calculation of gross household income for purposes of the basic needs allowance (BNA) for eligible members of the Armed Force. Specifically, the removal of housing benefits from income computation to determine BNA eligibility would better target personnel facing the highest rates of hunger.
H.R. 1765 – SNAP Benefits Fairness Act of 2023
- Introduced by Rep. Payne (D-NJ) and 10 cosponsors, this bill would repeal the limitation on the maximum deduction for shelter expenses allowable for determination of benefits under such Act. The bill would remove caps on housing expenses so that families in higher cost of living areas receive the proper food assistance.
H.R. 2378 – Farmers’ Market and Food Bank Local Revitalization Act of 2023
- Introduced by Reps. Kaptur (D-OH) and Evans (D-PA), this bill would provide increased financial assistance for farmers markets and farmers market nutrition programs, to increase local agricultural production through food bank in-house production and local farmer contracting
H.R. 2400 – Reentry Act of 2023 (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Reps. Tonko (D-NY), Rutherford (R-FL), Trone (D-MD), Turner (R-OH), and 16 cosponsors, this bill would allow States to make medical assistance for Medicaid- eligible inmates available during the 30-day period preceding their release.
- Introduced by Rep. Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Bonamici (D-OR), this bill would permit video or telephone certifications in the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children.
H.R. 2525 – Health Care for Homeless Veterans Act
- Introduced by Reps. Ruiz (D-CA) and Titus (D-NV), this bill would expand eligibility for, and extend authorization of, certain programs for homeless veterans.
H.R. 2537 – Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) Restoration Act (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Reps. Strickland (D-WA), Bacon (R-NE) and 22 cosponsors, this bill would increase the basic allowance for housing inside the United States for members of the uniformed services, and increase access to housing on and off base.
H.R. 2559 – Strengthening Community Care Act of 2023 (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Reps. Joyce (R-PA), Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Stefanik (R-NY), and Fletcher (D-TX), this bill would extend funding for community health centers and the National Health Service Corps. The bill would reauthorize funding for Community Health Centers through 2028 and provide continued access to care for over 30 million Americans in rural and underserved communities.
H.R. 2567 – School Meals Expansion Act
- Introduced by Rep. McGarvey (D-KY) and 20 cosponsors, this bill would amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act with respect to expanding community eligibility.
H.R. 2645 – Keeping Families Fed Act of 2023
- Introduced by Rep. Caraveo (D-CO), this bill would extend for one year the availability of certain flexible benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) initially enacted at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the bill would extend the emergency allotment flexibility to one year past bill passage and requires USDA to submit a strategy plan to state SNAP agencies providing resources and guidance for public awareness and preparation for the end of the extension.
- Introduced by Rep. Courtney (D-CT) and 31 bipartisan cosponsors, this bill would direct the Secretary of Labor to issue an occupational safety and health standard that requires covered employers within the health care and social services industries to develop and implement a comprehensive workplace violence prevention plan.
H.R. 2692 – Addressing Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults (SILO) Act of 2023
- Introduced by Rep. Sanchez (D-CA), this bill would provide grants and training to support area agencies on aging or other community-based organizations to address social isolation among vulnerable older adults and adults with disabilities.
H.R. 2718 – Elder Justice Reauthorization and Modernization Act of 2023*
- Introduced by Rep. Neal (D-MA) and six cosponsors, this bill would reauthorize the Elder Justice Act and dedicates new funding to programs proven to safeguard older adults and adults with disabilities.
H.R. 2764 – Green New Deal for Health Act*
- Introduced by Reps. Khana (D-CA), Jayapal (D-WA), Lee (D-PA), Frost (D-FL), and 20 cosponsors, this bill would establish a Green New Deal for Health to prepare and empower the health care sector to protect the health and wellbeing of our workers, our communities, and our planet in the face of the climate crisis. The bill would invest $130 billion over five years in community health centers through the Community Health Center Fund, among other areas.
H.R. 2777 – School Meals During School Closures Act
- Introduced by Reps. Omar (D-MN), Schiff (D-CA), Hayes (D-CT), and 24 cosponsors, this bill would establish a waiver under such Act to address certain school closures. The bill would allow states or school districts to continue to provide free and subsidized meals during disruptions, such as extreme weather events, to ensure kids can continue to access nutritious meals during these disruptions and closures.
H.R. 2842 – Dignity in Housing Act of 2023
- Introduced by Rep. Malliotakis (R-NY), this bill would require the Department of Housing and Urban Development to inspect certain public housing developments to ensure compliance with housing quality and safety standards.
H.R. 2846 – Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2023*
- Introduced by Reps. Peters (D-CA), Schiff (D-CA), Evans (D-PA), Bonamici (D-OR), and Delegate Holmes Norton (D-DC), this bill would prohibit discrimination based on source of income, veteran status, or military status. The bill would expand protections by adding source of income and veteran status to the list of protected classes under the Fair Housing Act of 1968, giving more individuals and families access to affordable housing.
H.R. 2974 – Interagency Council on Affordable Housing Act
- Introduced by Reps. Schiff (D-CA), Clarke (D-NY) and six cosponsors, this bill would establish a federal Interagency Council on Housing Affordability and Prevention that would advise on preserving and strengthening existing affordable housing, public housing, and federal housing voucher assistance programs.
H.R. 3037 – Closing the Meal Gap Act*
- Introduced by Rep. Adams (D-NC) and 64 cosponsors, this bill would require that supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits be calculated using the value of the low-cost food plan.
H.R. 3073 – Community Mental Wellness & Resilience Act (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Reps. Tonko (D-NY), Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Castor (D-FL), Bacon (R-NE), and Peltola (D-AK), this bill would promote mental wellness and resilience and prevent and heal mental health, behavioral health, and psychosocial conditions through developmentally and culturally appropriate community programs, and award grants for the purpose of establishing, operating, or expanding community-based mental wellness and resilience programs.
H.R. 3080 – Health Center Service Expansion and Provider Shortage Reduction Act
- Introduced by Reps. Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Kuster (D-NH), and Barragan (D-CA), this bill would expand services provided at community health centers. Specifically, the bill would increase access to mental and behavioral health services provided through health centers, expand weekend and evening hours, create new service sites, and invest in strengthening the primary care workforce through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC).
H.R. 3087 – Training and Nutrition Stability Act (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Reps. Espaillat (D-NY), Miller (R-OH), Adams (D-NC), and Molinaro (R-NY), this bill would exempt workforce training dollars as income for supplemental nutrition assistance program beneficiaries.
H.R. 3092 – Transit to Trails Act*
- Introduced by Rep. Gomez (D-CA) and 35 cosponsors, this bill would establish a program to award grants to entities that provide transportation connectors from critically underserved communities to green spaces.
H.R. 3112 – No Hungry Kids in School Act
- Introduced by Reps. Porter (D-CA), Aguilar (D-CA), and 11 cosponsors, this bill would allow states to provide free meals to all schools in eligible districts by establishing statewide community eligibility for certain special assistance payments.
H.R. 3113 – Expanding Access to School Meals Act
- Introduced by Rep. Porter (D-CA) and nine cosponsors, this bill would eliminate reduced price breakfasts and lunches and require that the income guidelines for determining eligibility for free breakfasts and free lunches be 200 percent of the poverty-level to ensure students from low-income families get nutritious food.
H.R. 3117 – Hotels for Housing Conversation Act
- Introduced by Reps. Schiff (D-CA), Vargas (D-CA), and Mullin (D-CA), this bill would establish a program for the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants to states and continua of care to carry out conversions of structures for use as emergency shelters and housing for homeless persons and families.
H.R. 3183 – Enhance Access to SNAP (EATS) Act of 2023*
- Introduced by Rep. Gomez (D-CA) and 132 cosponsors, this bill would remove certain eligibility disqualifications that restrict otherwise eligible students enrolled in institutions of higher education from participating in the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP).
H.R. 3204 – Universal School Meals Program Act of 2023*
- Introduced by Rep. Omar (D-MN) and 81 cosponsors, this bill would make breakfasts and lunches free for all children.
H.R. 3207 – Build Housing with Care Act*
- Introduced by Rep. Bonamici (D-OR) and 22 cosponsors, this bill would establish a grant program to address the crises in accessing affordable housing and child care through the co-location of housing and child care. The bill would invest $500 million to construct child care centers in affordable housing buildings and cover the costs of retrofitting to help family child care providers operate in housing developments.
H.R. 3238 – Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2023 (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Reps. LaHood (R-IL), DelBene (D-WA), and 100 bipartisan cosponsors, this bill would reform the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to support the financing of more affordable housing and building of nearly two million new affordable homes over the next decade.
H.R. 3343 – Foster Youth Mentoring Act of 2023 (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Reps. Scanlon (D-PA), Bacon (R-NE), Moore (D-WI), and 11 cosponsors, this bill would support the establishment or expansion and operation of programs using a network of public and private community entities to provide mentoring for children and youth with experience in foster care.
H.R. 3474 – Senior Hunger Prevention Act
- Introduced by Rep. Bonamici (D-OR) and 25 cosponsors, this bill would streamline nutrition access for older adults and adults with disabilities.
H.R. 3479 – Re-Entry Support Through Opportunities for Resources and Essentials (RESTORE) Act*
- Introduced by Reps. Cohen (D-TN) and Rutherford (R-FL), this bill would allow individuals with drug offenses to receive benefits under SNAP.
H.R. 3498 – Human Services Emergency Logistics Program (HELP) Act (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Reps. Higgins (D-NY) and Fitzpatrick (R-PA), this bill would facilitate nationwide accessibility and coordination of 211 services and 988 services in order to provide information and referral to all residents and visitors in the United States for mental health emergencies, homelessness needs, and other social and human services needs.
H.R. 3519 – Hot Foods Act (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Reps. Meng (D-NY), Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Garbarino (R-NY), Spanberger (D-VA) and 31 cosponsors, this bill would permit SNAP benefits to be used to purchase additional types of food items. The bill would remove the prohibition within SNAP that limits purchases to foods designed for take-home preparation and consumption, or cold prepared foods.
- Introduced by Rep. Brownley (D-CA), this bill would make permanent certain programs that assist homeless veterans and other veterans with special needs.
H.R. 3698 – Feed Hungry Veterans Act
- Introduced by Rep. Hayes (D-CT) and 48 cosponsors, this bill would expand the eligibility of disabled veterans to receive supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits.
H.R. 3715 – Housing Fairness for Mountain Communities Act
- Introduced by Rep. Neguse (D-CO), this bill would establish a waiver program to allow for zip-code localization area median income calculations. Specifically, the bill would offer a more accurate and nuanced reflection of wealth levels to ensure working families have access to federal housing assistance.
H.R. 3719 – Save Affordable Housing Act
- Introduced by Rep. Neguse (D-CO), this bill would repeal the qualified contract exception to the extended low-income housing commitment rules for purposes of the low-income housing credit. The bill would ensure Low-Income Housing Tax Credit properties remain affordable for at least 30 years, extending access to affordable housing.
- Introduced by Reps. Neguse (D-CO) and Fitzpatrick (R-PA), this bill would authorize a new type of housing choice voucher to help achieve the goals of ending homelessness among families with children, increasing housing opportunities, and improving life outcomes of poor children.
H.R. 3805 – Kickstarting Innovative Demonstrations Support (KIDS) Health Act of 2023 (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Reps. Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Burgess (R-TX), this bill would establish a demonstration project testing Whole Child Health Models. The bill would establish a holistic approach to children’s health care by integrating mental and physical health services for children and youth eligible for Medicaid and CHIP.
H.R. 3817 – Mental Health Workforce and Language Access Act (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Reps. Meng (D-NY), Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Clarke (D-NY), this bill would increase language access to behavioral health services at eligible community health centers. The bill would provide federal funds to community health centers to help them recruit, hire and employ qualified behavioral health professionals who are fluent in a language other than English. Note, this was also introduced on May 10, 2023 as R. 3189.
- Introduced by Reps. Bonamici (D-OR), Holmes Norton (D-DC), Brown (D-OH), Tlaib (D-MI), Vargas (D-CA) and Thanedar (D-MI), this bill would improve nutrition assistance for people experiencing homelessness. The bill would will provide dedicated outreach, application aid, enrollment assistance, and access to transportation for people experiencing homelessness so they can benefit from SNAP.
H.R. 3848 – Housing Our Military Veterans Effectively (HOME) Act
- Introduced by Reps. Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR), Bost (R-IL), and Bilirakis (R-FL), this bill would make certain improvements in the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs relating to homelessness. The bill seeks to ensure homeless veterans are able to access and receive the care and resources they need.
- Introduced by Rep. Peltola (D-AK), this bill would direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit an annual report on food insecurity among veterans to certain congressional committees.
Senate
S. 24 – Fighting Homelessness Through Services and Housing Act*
- Introduced by Sens. Feinstein (D-CA), Padilla (D-CA), Klobuchar (D-MN), and Shaheen (D-NH), this bill would authorize a $1 billion annual grant program within HRSA for housing programs that offer comprehensive services and intensive case management for homeless individuals and families.
S. 32 – Choice in Affordable Housing Act of 2023 (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Sens. Coons (D-DE), Cramer (R-ND), Warnock (D-GA), Smith (D-MN), and Moran (R-KS), this bill would increase the number of landlords participating in the Housing Choice Voucher program.
S. 73 – Helping Households And Neighbors Distribute Services (HANDS) for Families Act (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Sens. Rubio (R-FL) and Casey (D-PA), this bill would allow community supports to meet specific needs of families and children through an electronic care portal under the MaryLee Allen Promoting Safe and Stable Families program. The bill would permit states to use already-allocated money to access online portals that connect families in need with resources such as pregnancy centers, child care programs, food pantries, churches, and non-profits.
S. 290 – Preserving Our Commitment to Homeless Veterans Act
- Introduced by Sen. Rubio (R-FL), this bill would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that the supported housing program of the Department of Veterans Affairs has not fewer than one program manager for every 35 rental assistance cases under such program.
S. 324 – Study, Treat, Observe, and Prevent (STOP) Neglected Diseases of Poverty Act
- Introduced by Sen. Booker (D-NJ), this bill would authorize the Secretary of HHS to carry out activities relating to neglected diseases of poverty. The bill would create an Interagency Task Force to provide recommendations to the HHS Secretary, provide resources to states to implement a public health surveillance system to determine prevalence and distribution of these illnesses, require the development of educational programs, and facilitate research to address and eliminate these diseases.
S. 405 – Heating and Cooling Relief Act*
- Introduced by Sens. Markey (D-MA), Warren (D-MA), Gillibrand (D-NY), Blumenthal (D-CT), Booker (D-NJ), Sanders (I-VT), and Padilla (D-CA), this bill would amend the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to increase the availability of heating and cooling assistance.
S. 497 – Military Family Nutrition Access Act (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Sens. Duckworth (D-IL), Murkowski (R-AK), and 15 cosponsors, this bill would exclude a basic allowance for housing from income for purposes of eligibility for SNAP. The bill aims to support active duty military families experiencing food insecurity and prevent hunger in these families.
S. 578 – Liberty City Rising Act*
- Introduced by Sen. Rubio (R-FL), this bill would reform requirements regarding the safety and security of families living in public and federally assisted housing located in high-crime areas.
S. 643 – Farm Fresh Food for Families Act of 2023 (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Sens. Ossoff (D-GA) and Ernst (R-IA), this bill would modernize the farmers’ market nutrition program under the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children.
S. 657 – Neighborhood Homes Investment Act (NHIA) (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Sens. Cardin (D-MD), Young (R-IN), Wyden (D-OR), Moran (R-KS), and Brown (D-OH), this bill would establish a tax credit for neighborhood revitalization in distressed neighborhoods. The bill would cover the cost between building or renovating a home in these areas so that homeowners can renovate and stay in their homes, and caps the price of sales for each home to ensure they are affordable housing options in the community.
S. 665 – Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Sens. Klobuchar (D-MN), Collins (R-ME), and 17 cosponsors, this bill would provide incentives to physicians to practice in rural and medically underserved communities.
S. 680 – Decent, Affordable, Safe Housing for All (DASH) Act
- Introduced by Sen. Wyden (D-OR), this bill would provide rental vouchers for the homeless, expand essential services to ensure permanent housing stability, create new down payment tax credit for first-time homebuyers, and expand the production of affordable housing for low-income and middle-income families.
S. 703 – Physicians for Underserved Areas Act (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Sens. Rosen (D-NV) and Boozman (R-AR), this bill would make improvements to the redistribution of residency slots under the Medicare program to give medical residency programs in areas with physician shortages a greater chance of gaining available residency slots after hospital closures take place elsewhere in the country.
S. 705 – Specialty Physicians Advancing Rural Care (SPARC) Act (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Sens. Rosen (D-NV) and Wicker (R-MS), this bill would authorize a loan repayment program to encourage specialty medicine physicians and non-physician specialty providers to serve in rural communities experiencing a shortage of specialty medicine physicians.
- Introduced by Sens. Reed (D-RI), Collins (R-ME), Van Hollen (D-MD), Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Klobuchar (D-MN), this bill would strengthen the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness.
S. 760 – Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) Reauthorization Act of 2023*
- Introduced by Sens. Casey (D-PA) and Gillibrand (D-NY), this bill would reauthorize the Healthy Food Financing Imitative, a critical public-private partnership that combats America’s obesity epidemic by providing access to affordable, healthy, and fresh food options. HFFI provides loan and grant financing to attract grocery stores and other fresh food retailers to underserved, urban, suburban, and rural areas, and renovates and expands existing stores so they can provide the healthy foods communities need.
S. 940 – Rural American Health Corps Act (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Sens. Blackburn (R-TN), Durbin (D-IL), Capito (R-WV), Rosen (D-NV), Smith (D-MN), and Murkowski (R-AK), this bill would establish a demonstration program to provide payments on eligible loans for individuals who are eligible for the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. The bill would incentivize more health professionals to serve and plant roots in rural communities as a result.
S. 953 – Rural Health Innovation Act (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Sens. Blackburn (R-TN) and Hickenlooper (D-CO), this bill would establish a rural health center innovation awards program and a rural health department enhancement program. The bill would strengthen access to care in rural areas by incentivizing communities to leverage their existing resources to provide for the community’s urgent care needs.
S. 974 – WIC Healthy Beginnings Act of 2023 (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Sens. Marshall (R-KS) and Gillibrand (D-NY), this bill would amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to make publicly available information on infant formula procurement under the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children.
- Introduced by Sens. Gillibrand (D-NY) and Marshall (R-KS), this bill would permit video or telephone certifications in the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children.
S. 1036 – Senior Hunger Prevention Act of 2023
- Introduced by Sens. Casey (D-PA), Gillibrand (D-NY), Fetterman (D-PA), Blumenthal (D-CT), Kelly (D-AZ), and Warren (D-MA), this bill would streamline nutrition access for older adults and adults with disabilities by increasing the minimum monthly SNAP benefit for all participants and simplifying application and certification processes in nutrition programs.
S. 1165 – Reentry Act of 2023 (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Sens. Baldwin (D-WI), Braun (R-IN), Brown (D-OH), and Vance (R-OH), this bill would allow States to make medical assistance for Medicaid- eligible inmates available during the 30-day period preceding their release.
S. 1176 – Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act*
- Introduced by Sen. Baldwin (D-WI) and 30 cosponsors, this bill would direct the Secretary of Labor to issue an occupational safety and health standard that requires covered employers within the health care and social services industries to develop and implement a comprehensive workplace violence prevention plan.
S. 1198 – Elder Justice Reauthorization and Modernization Act of 2023*
- Introduced by Sens. Wyden (D-OR) and Casey (D-PA), this bill would reauthorize the Elder Justice Act and dedicates new funding to programs proven to safeguard older adults and adults with disabilities.
S. 1229 – Green New Deal for Health Act*
- Introduced by Sens. Markey (D-MA), Merkley (D-OR), Sanders (I-VT), and Warren (D-MA), this bill would establish a Green New Deal for Health to prepare and empower the health care sector to protect the health and wellbeing of our workers, our communities, and our planet in the face of the climate crisis. The bill would invest $130 billion over five years in community health centers through the Community Health Center Fund, among other areas.
S. 1257 – Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act of 2023 (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Sens. Van Hollen (D-MD) and Young (R-IN), this bill would authorize a new type of housing choice voucher to help achieve the goals of ending homelessness among families with children, increasing housing opportunities, and improving life outcomes of poor children.
S. 1267 – Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2023*
- Introduced by Sen. Kaine (D-VA) and 12 cosponsors, this bill would prohibit discrimination based on source of income, veteran status, or military status. The bill would expand protections by adding source of income and veteran status to the list of protected classes under the Fair Housing Act of 1968, giving more individuals and families access to affordable housing.
S. 1298 – Supporting Our Direct Care Workforce and Family Caregivers Act
- Introduced by Sen. Kaine (D-VA) and eight cosponsors, this bill would award grants for the creation, recruitment, training and education, retention, and advancement of the direct care workforce and to award grants to support family caregivers.
S. 1336 – Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2023*
- Introduced by Sens. Gillibrand (D-NY) and eight cosponsors, this bill would require that supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits be calculated using the value of the low-cost food plan.
S. 1377 – Visitable Inclusive Tax Credits for Accessible Living (VITAL) Act
- Introduced by Sens. Casey (D-PA), Duckworth (D-IL), Gillibrand (D-NY), Klobuchar (D-MN), and Welch (D-VT), this bill would improve the low-income housing credit to address the housing affordability and accessibility crisis for people with disabilities.
S. 1389 – Rural Housing Service Reform Act of 2023 (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Sens. Smith (D-MN) and Rounds (R-SD), this bill would reform rural housing programs and strengthen the supply of affordable housing.
S. 1440 – Transit to Trails Act*
- Introduced by Sen. Booker (D-NJ) and eight cosponsors, this bill would establish a program to award grants to entities that provide transportation connectors from critically underserved communities to green spaces.
S. 1452 – Community Mental Wellness & Resilience Act*
- Introduced by Sens. Markey (D-MA), Merkley (D-OR), Blumenthal (D-CT), and Whitehouse (D-RI), this bill would promote mental wellness and resilience and prevent and heal mental health, behavioral health, and psychosocial conditions through developmentally and culturally appropriate community programs, and award grants for the purpose of establishing, operating, or expanding community-based mental wellness and resilience programs.
S. 1488 – Enhance Access to SNAP (EATS) Act of 2023*
- Introduced by Sen. Gillibrand (D-NY) and 12 cosponsors, this bill would remove certain eligibility disqualifications that restrict otherwise eligible students enrolled in institutions of higher education from participating in the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP).
S. 1490 – Strategy and Investment in Rural Housing Preservation Act of 2023
- Introduced by Sens. Shaheen (D-NH), Smith (D-MN), and King (I-ME), this bill would establish a permanent rural housing preservation and revitalization program, and ensure thousands of low-income tenants in rural areas are able to maintain access to safe and affordable housing.
S. 1557 – Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2023 (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Sens. Cantwell (D-WA), Young (R-IN), and 14 bipartisan cosponsors, this bill would reform the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to support the financing of more affordable housing and building of nearly two million new affordable homes over the next decade.
S. 1568 – Universal School Meals Program Act of 2023*
- Introduced by Sen. Sanders (I-VT) and 17 cosponsors, this bill would make breakfasts and lunches free for all children.
S. 1611 – Community Connect Grant Program Act of 2023
- Introduced by Sen. Smith (D-MN), this bill would reauthorize the Community Connect Grant Program which helps fund broadband deployment into rural communities. Specifically, the bill would make improvements to the grant program, and make investments available for broadband projects in tribal, low-income, and remote rural areas.
S. 1639 – Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Nutrition Act of 2023
- Introduced by Sen. Rubio (R-FL), this bill would increase funding for the purchase of specialty crops. Specifically, the bill directs funds toward ensuring availability of fresh fruits and vegetables in schools and providing more nutritious options for low-income children using existing funding streams from import duties.
S. 1660 – SNAP Education Allocation Modernization Act of 2023
- Introduced by Sen. Rubio (R-FL), this bill would modify the allocation of funding to states for the nutrition education and obesity prevention grant program under SNAP, called SNAP-Ed. The bill would provide an increase in SNAP funding for SNAP-Ed to states to take into account recent population increases.
S. 1684 – Feeding Our Rural Kids (FORK) Act
- Introduced by Sens. Merkley (D-OR) and Welch (D-VT), this bill would establish a vehicle summer meal delivery pilot program to help feed kids in rural communities.
S. 1729 – Human Services Emergency Logistics Program (HELP) Act (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Sens. Casey (D-PA), Moran (R-KS), Gillibrand (D-NY), Murkowski (R-AK) and 10 cosponsors, this bill would facilitate nationwide accessibility and coordination of 211 services and 988 services in order to provide information and referral to all residents and visitors in the United States for mental health emergencies, homelessness needs, and other social and human services needs.
S. 1738 – Build Housing with Care Act*
- Introduced by Sen. Wyden (D-OR) and seven cosponsors, this bill would establish a grant program to address the crises in accessing affordable housing and child care through the co-location of housing and child care. The bill would invest $500 million to construct child care centers in affordable housing buildings and cover the costs of retrofitting to help family child care providers operate in housing developments.
- Introduced by Sen. Booker (D-NJ) and seven cosponsors, this bill would allow individuals with drug offenses to receive benefits under SNAP.
S. 1769 – Kickstarting Innovative Demonstrations Support (KIDS) Health Act of 2023 (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Sens. Carper (D-DE) and Sullivan (R-AK), this bill would establish a demonstration project testing Whole Child Health Models. The bill would establish a holistic approach to children’s health care by integrating mental and physical health services for children and youth eligible for Medicaid and CHIP.
S. 1784 – Mental Health Workforce and Language Access Act (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Sens. Heinrich (D-NM), Cornyn (R-TX), and Padilla (D-CA), this bill would increase language access to behavioral health services at eligible community health centers. The bill would provide federal funds to community health centers to help them recruit, hire and employ qualified behavioral health professionals who are fluent in a language other than English.
* Denotes bicameral legislation
House of Representatives
H.R. 232 – Real Justice for Our Veterans Act of 2023
- Introduced by Rep. Jackson Lee (D-TX), this bill would prioritize veterans treatment court programs that ensure equal access for racial and ethnic minorities and women, and requires DOJ’s Bureau of Justice Assistance to implement a pilot program to make grants for local governments to improve retention in veteran treatment court programs and drug court programs.
H.R. 417 – Tribal Healthcare Careers Act
- Introduced by Rep. Gomez (D-CA), this bill would require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reserve a portion of Health Profession Opportunity Grants for Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and tribal colleges and universities.
H.R. 418 – Affordable Housing Equity Act of 2023
- Introduced by Rep. Gomez (D-CA), this bill would designate projects serving extremely low-income households for purposes of allocating the State housing credit ceiling and determining an increased amount of low-income housing tax credit.
H.R. 420 – Language Access for Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2023
- Introduced by Rep. Gomez (D-CA), this bill would provide for enhanced Medicare beneficiary information through access to annual Medicare notifications in multiple languages.
H.R. 613 – Wayne Ford Racial Impact Statement Act of 2023
- Introduced by Reps. Torres (D-NY), Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), and Crockett (D-TX), this bill would establish a process for the creation of minority impact assessments to determine whether pending bills, if enacted, are likely to create or exacerbate disparate outcomes among racial or ethnic minority groups
H.R. 630 – Urban Indian Health Confer Act*
- Introduced by Reps. Grijalva (D-AZ), Stansbury (D-NM), and Davids (D-KS), this bill would establish an urban Indian organization confer policy for the Department of Health and Human Services regarding health care for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) living in urban areas to improve care and meet the unique needs of Indigenous communities and create parity between urban Indian organizations and other components of the Indian Health System.
H.R. 827 – Home Internet Accessibility Act (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Reps. Williams (D-GA) and Timmons (R-SC), this bill would require the Comptroller General to submit to Congress a report on the capacity of federally assisted housing to support broadband service, and would task the Department of Housing and Urban Development with producing an action plan to close internet service gaps across the country.
H.R. 834 – Rural Physician Workforce Production Act of 2023 (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Reps. Harshbarger (R-TN), Schrier (D-WA), Cuellar (D-TX), and Bacon (R-NE), this bill would support rural residency training funding that is equitable for all States. The bill would improve Medicare reimbursements and enhance the current structure of the Medicare-funded graduate medical education program to bring more medical residents and doctors to rural areas.
H.R. 1041 – American Opportunity Accounts Act*
- Introduced by Rep. Pressley (D-MA) and 30 cosponsors, this bill would establish American opportunity accounts, or federally funded savings accounts, for every child in order to make economic opportunity a birthright for every American and help close the racial wealth gap.
H.R. 1412 – Digital Equity Foundation Act*
- Introduced by Reps. Matsui (D-CA), Bonamici (D-OR), Eshoo (D-CA), Smith (D-WA), Grijalva (D-AZ), and Carter (D-LA), this bill would establish the Foundation for Digital Equity, a nonprofit foundation that would channel public and private investments into making progress in closing the divide on digital equity, inclusion, and literacy.
H.R. 1589 – Tribal Nutrition Improvement Act of 2023
- Introduced by Reps. Leger Fernandez (D-NM), McGovern (D-MA), Stansbury (D-NM), and Gallego (D-AZ), this bill would improve nutrition in tribal areas.
H.R. 2535 – Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act of 2023 (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Reps. Stanton (D-AZ) and Joyce (R-OH), this bill would elevate the position of Director of the Indian Health Service within the Department of Health and Human Services to Assistant Secretary for Indian Health, with the goal of improving Native American health outcomes. The position would bring greater attention within the Administration to addressing health care status and needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives.
H.R. 2730 – Health Equity and MENA Community Inclusion Act of 2023
- Introduced by Reps. Tlaib (D-MI), Dingell (D-MI), Eshoo (D-CA), and Kelly (D-IL), this bill would include Middle Easterners and North Africans in the statutory definition of a “racial and ethnic minority group”
H.R. 2762 – Tribal Family Fairness Act (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Reps. Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), Bacon (R-NE), Davids (D-KS), and Fitzpatrick (R-PA), this bill would remove administrative barriers to participation of Indian tribes in Federal child welfare programs, increase Federal funding for tribal child welfare programs, and provide culturally appropriate services to preserve Tribal families.
H.R. 2834 – Community Finance Language Inclusion Act of 2023
- Introduced by Reps. Garcia (D-TX), Beatty (D-OH), Nickel (D-NC), Green (D-TX), and Vargas (D-CA), this bill would amend the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994 to include in technical assistance provided by the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund resources for non-English speaking individuals.
H.R. 2835 – Multilingual Financial Literacy Act
- Introduced by Reps. Garcia (D-TX), Beatty (D-OH), Nickel (D-NC), Green (D-TX), and Vargas (D-CA), this bill would require the Financial Literacy and Education Commission to carry out a study on the impact of language barriers to financial health, to require the website and toll-free telephone number of the Commission to be provided in the most commonly spoken languages in the United States.
H.R. 2904 – Anti-Racism in Public Health Act of 2023*
- Introduced by Reps. Pressley (D-MA) and 47 cosponsors, this bill would provide for public health research and investment into understanding and eliminating structural racism and police violence. The bill would declare racism a public health crisis, create a National Center for Anti-Racism, and establish a Law Enforcement Violence Prevention Program at the CDC.
H.R. 3068 – Equal Health Care for All Act
- Introduced by Rep. Schiff (D-CA) and 18 cosponsors, this bill would prohibit discrimination in health care and require the provision of equitable health care. The bill would make equal access to health care a protected civil right, addressing racial inequities and systemic failures in the United States medical system that continue to exacerbate health and mortality disparities among Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous communities.
H.R. 3069 – John Lewis Equality in Medicare and Medicaid Treatment (EMMT) Act*
- Introduced by Rep. Sewell (D-AL) and six cosponsors, this bill would improve access to care for all Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries through models tested under the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. The bill would require CMMI to work with experts to consider health disparities when developing payment models.
H.R. 3646 – Menstrual Equity for All Act
- Introduced by Rep. Meng (D-NY) and 64 cosponsors, this bill would increase the availability and affordability of menstrual products for individuals with limited access, therefore aiming to eradicate period poverty and achieve menstrual equity.
- Introduced by Reps. Moulton (D-MA), Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Dingell (D-MI), and Morelle (D-NY), this bill would expand and improve health care services by health centers and the National Health Service Corps for individuals with a developmental disability.
H.R. 3503 – NIH Clinical Trial Diversity Act (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Reps. Kelly (D-IL), Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Holmes Norton (D-DC), Moore (D-WI), and Eshoo (D-CA), this bill would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health, to take certain steps to increase clinical trial diversity.
H.R. 3548 – Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act*
- Introduced by Reps. Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Napolitano (D-CA) and 30 cosponsors, this bill would address mental health issues for youth, particularly youth of color. Specifically, the bill would authorize $995 million in grants and other funding to support research, improve the pipeline of culturally competent providers, build outreach programs that reduce stigma, and develop a training program for providers to effectively manage disparities.
H.R. 3680 – Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act*
- Introduced by Rep. Chu (D-CA) and nine cosponsors, this bill would provide for a national outreach and education strategy and research to improve the behavioral and mental health of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander population, while addressing stigma within such population against behavioral and mental health treatment.
H.R. 3845– Disability Access to Transportation Act (DATA)*
- Introduced by Rep. Titus (D-NV), this bill would increase accessible transportation for individual with disabilities.
Senate
S.230 – Rural Physician Workforce Production Act of 2023 (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Sens. Tester (D-MT), Barrasso (R-WY), and 10 cosponsors, this bill would support rural residency training funding that is equitable for all States. The bill would improve Medicare reimbursements and enhance the current structure of the Medicare-funded graduate medical education program to bring more medical residents and doctors to rural areas.
S. 441 – American Opportunity Accounts Act*
- Introduced by Sen. Booker (D-NJ) and 15 cosponsors, this bill would establish American opportunity accounts, or federally funded savings accounts, for every child in order to make economic opportunity a birthright for every American and help close the racial wealth gap.
S. 460 – Urban Indian Health Confer Act (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Sens. Smith (D-MN) and Mullin (R-OK), this bill would establish an urban Indian organization confer policy for the Department of Health and Human Services to meet the unique needs of Indigenous communities and improve care, therefore creating parity between urban Indian organizations and other components of the Indian Health System.
S. 599 – Digital Equity Foundation Act*
- Introduced by Sens. Lujan (D-NM), Feinstein (D-CA), Klobuchar (D-MN), Blumenthal (D-CT), Heinrich (D-NM), Markey (D-MA), Merkley (D-OR), and Durbin (D-IL), this bill would establish the Foundation for Digital Equity, a nonprofit foundation that would channel public and private investments into making progress in closing the divide on digital equity, inclusion, and literacy.
S. 1219 – Health Equity for People with Disabilities Act
- Introduced by Sens. Casey (D-PA), Merkley (D-OR), Welch (D-VT), Kaine (D-VA), Gillibrand (D-NY), and Duckworth (D-IL), this bill would provide health equity for people with disabilities.
S. 1296 – John Lewis Equality in Medicare and Medicaid Treatment (EMMT) Act*
- Introduced by Sens. Booker (D-NJ), Padilla (D-CA), and Brown (D-OH), this bill would improve access to care for all Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries through models tested under the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. The bill would require CMMI to work with experts to consider health disparities when developing payment models.
S. 1317 – Anti-Racism in Public Health Act of 2023*
- Introduced by Sens. Warren (D-MA), Merkley (D-OR), Markey (D-MA), Smith (D-MN), Hirono (D-HI), and Wyden (D-OR), this bill would provide for public health research and investment into understanding and eliminating structural racism and police violence. The bill would declare racism a public health crisis, create a National Center for Anti-Racism, and establish a Law Enforcement Violence Prevention Program at the CDC.
S. 1700 – Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act*
- Introduced by Sen. Menendez (D-NJ) and nine cosponsors, this bill would address mental health issues for youth, particularly youth of color. Specifically, the bill would authorize $995 million in grants and other funding to support research, improve the pipeline of culturally competent providers, build outreach programs that reduce stigma, and develop a training program for providers to effectively manage disparities.
S. 1701 – NIH Clinical Trial Diversity Act (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Sens. Menendez (D-NJ) and Collins (R-ME), this bill would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health, to take certain steps to increase clinical trial diversity.
S. 1773 – Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act*
- Introduced by Sens. Hirono (D-HI), Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Booker (D-NJ), this bill would provide for a national outreach and education strategy and research to improve the behavioral and mental health of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander population, while addressing stigma within such population against behavioral and mental health treatment.
S. 1813 – Disability Access to Transportation Act (DATA)*
- Introduced by Sen. Menendez (D-NJ), this bill would increase accessible transportation for individual with disabilities.
* Denotes bicameral legislation
House of Representatives
H.R. 477 – Community Mentors for Moms Act*
- Introduced by Rep. Miller (R-WV), this bill would establish a grant program for community-based maternal mentoring programs for low-income mothers to support and prepare them to raise their children for success.
H.R. 982 – Pregnant Women in Custody Act (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Rep. Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) and Lesko (R-AZ), this bill would address the health needs of incarcerated women related to pregnancy and childbirth.
H.R. 1117 – Advancing Safe Medications for Moms and Babies Act of 2023 (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Reps. Castor (D-FL), Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Underwood (D-IL), this bill would implement certain recommendations to promote the inclusion of pregnant and lactating women in clinical research.
H.R. 2480 – Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act of 2023 (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Reps. Bacon (R-NE), Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Sewell (D-AL), Wild (D-PA), Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Resident Commissioner Gonzalez-Colon (R-PR), this bill would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance on coverage under the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act of certain pelvic health services furnished during the postpartum period.
H.R. 3151 – WIC Healthy Beginnings Act of 2023 (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Reps. McBath (D-GA), McClain (R-MI), Stevens (D-MI), and Miller-Meeks (R-IA), this bill would bill would require the Secretary of Agriculture to make publicly available information on infant formula procurement under the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC).
H.R. 3226 – PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2023 (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Reps. Eshoo (D-CA), Kelly (D-IL), Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Burgess (R-TX), Miller-Meeks (R-IA), and Kiggans (R-VA), this bill would reauthorize the Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early Act, which includes critical federal research, education, and intervention activities to reduce preterm birth and infant mortality. The legislation will help improve pregnancy outcomes and infant health by continuing such programs and study factors that lead to preterm birth to identify effective prevention and treatment options.
H.R. 3302 – Protecting Moms and Babies Against Climate Change Act*
- Introduced by Rep. Underwood (D-IL) and 96 cosponsors, this bill would protect Moms and babies against climate change. This bill is part of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act package.
H.R. 3303 – Maternal Health for Veterans Act (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Reps. Underwood (D-IL), Bilirakis (R-FL), Brownley (D-CA), Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and 94 cosponsors, this bill would provide support for programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to the coordination of maternity health care. This bill is part of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act package.
H.R. 3304 – Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act*
- Introduced by Rep. Underwood (D-IL) and 96 cosponsors, this bill would authorize appropriations for data collection, surveillance, and research on maternal health outcomes during public health emergencies. This bill is part of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act package.
H.R. 3305 – Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act*
- Introduced by Reps. Underwood (D-IL), Adams (D-NC), and 183 cosponsors, this bill would end preventable maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and maternal health disparities in the United States. The Momnibus Act is a package of legislation to save moms’ lives and address every driver of maternal mortality, morbidity, and disparities in the United States. The Momnibus is made up of 13 bills sponsored by Black Maternal Health Caucus Members.
- Introduced by Rep. Adams (D-NC) and 98 cosponsors, this bill would end preventable maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity in the United States and close disparities in maternal health outcomes. This bill is part of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act package.
H.R. 3312 – Moms Matter Act (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Reps. Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Underwood (D-IL), this bill would address maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders. This bill is part of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act package.
H.R. 3320 – Data to Save Moms Act*
- Introduced by Rep. Davids (D-KS) and 97 cosponsors, this bill would improve maternal health data collection processes and quality measures. This bill is part of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act package.
H.R. 3322 – Social Determinants for Moms Act*
- Introduced by Rep. Hayes (D-CT) and 95 cosponsors, this bill would address social determinants of maternal health to eliminate maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and maternal health disparities. This bill is part of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act package.
H.R. 3332 – Extending WIC for New Moms Act*
- Introduced by Rep. McBath (D-GA) and 97 cosponsors, this bill would extend eligibility for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) for new moms. This bill is part of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act package.
H.R. 3344 – Justice for Incarcerated Moms Act
- Introduced by Rep. Pressley (D-MA) and 98 cosponsors, this bill would end the shackling of pregnant individuals and provide funding for programs to create maternal health programs for incarcerated individuals. This bill is part of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act package.
H.R. 3346 – Innovative Maternal Payment And Coverage To (IMPACT) Save Moms Act
- Introduced by Rep. Schakowsky (D-IL) and 94 cosponsors, this bill would direct the CMS Administrator to implement the Perinatal Care Alternative Payment Model Demonstration Project to test various payment models with respect to maternity care provided to pregnant and postpartum individuals. This bill is part of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act package.
H.R. 3348 – Maternal Vaccinations Act*
- Introduced by Rep. Sewell (D-AL) and 96 cosponsors, this bill would amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to maternal vaccination awareness and equity. This bill is part of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act package.
H.R. 3352 – Improving Diaper Affordability Act of 2023
- Introduced by Rep. Watson Coleman (D-NJ) and 16 cosponsors, this bill would treat diapers as qualified medical expenses and would prohibit States and local governments from imposing a tax on the retail sale of diapers.
H.R. 3364 – WIC Act of 2023 (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Reps. DeLauro (D-CT), Sanchez (D-CA), Schrier (D-WA), Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Resident Commissioner Gonzalez-Colon (R-PR), this bill would increase the age of eligibility for children to receive benefits under the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC).
H.R. 3386 – Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Reps. Porter (D-CA), Salazar (R-FL), and Swalwell (D-CA), this bill would amend the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Act to require hygienic handling of breast milk and baby formula by security screening personnel of the Transportation Security Administration and personnel of private security companies providing security screening.
H.R. 3387 – No Surprise Bills for New Moms Act (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Reps. Porter (D-CA), Hinson (R-IA) and six bipartisan cosponsors, this bill would provide for certain health coverage of newborns. Specifically, the bill would automatically cover newborns for the first 30 days and create a standardized 60-day enrollment period for infant health insurance.
H.R. 3523 – Perinatal Workforce Act*
- Introduced by Rep. Moore (D-WI) and 95 cosponsors, this bill would grow and diversify the perinatal workforce. This bill is part of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act package.
H.R. 3576 – AIR PUMP Act (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Rep. Hoyle (D-OR) and 38 bipartisan cosponsors, this bill would expand access to breastfeeding accommodations in the workplace for certain employees of air carrier employers.
- Introduced by Reps. Morelle (D-NY), Sewell (D-AL), Kilmer (D-WA), and Torres (D-CA), this bill would expand access to breastfeeding accommodations in the workplace.
H.R. 3659 – Enhancing Questions to Understand Intentions for Pregnancy (EQUIP) Act
- Introduced by Rep. Bonamici (D-OR) and 10 cosponsors, this bill would provide for a demonstration program at the CDC to facilitate the clinical adoption of pregnancy intention screening initiatives by health care and social service providers. The bill would promote routine screening of people of child-bearing age by health care providers to ask about pregnancy plans and to guide providers in offering care and advice.
H.R. 3786 – Midwives for MOMS Act (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Reps. Hinson (R-IA) and Watson Coleman (D-NJ), this bill would address maternity care shortages and promote optimal maternity outcomes by expanding educational opportunities for midwives.
H.R. 3838 – Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023 (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Reps. Burgess (R-TX), DeGette (D-CO), Carter (R-GA), Kelly (D-IL), Cammack (R-FL), and Castor (D-FL), this bill would reauthorize Federal support of States in their work to save and sustain the health of mothers during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, eliminate disparities in maternal health outcomes for pregnancy-related and pregnancy-associated deaths, and identify solutions to improve health care quality and health outcomes for mothers.
Senate
S. 48 – Community Mentors for Moms Act*
- Introduced by Sen. Rubio (R-FL), this bill would establish a grant program for community-based maternal mentoring programs for low-income mothers to support and prepare them to raise their children for success.
S. 712 – Connected Maternal Online Monitoring (MOM) Act (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Sens. Cassidy (R-LA), Hassan (D-NH), Young (R-IN), Carper (D-DE), Thune (R-SD), and Rosen (D-NV), this bill would identify and address barriers to coverage of remote physiologic devices under State Medicaid programs to improve maternal and child health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women.
S. 948 – Healthy Moms and Babies Act (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Sens. Grassley (R-IA) and Hassan (D-NH), this bill would improve maternal health coverage under Medicaid and CHIP.
S. 964 – Mothers and Newborns Success Act (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Sens. Kaine (D-VA) and Murkowski (R-AK), this bill would improve maternal health and promote safe motherhood.
S. 1547 – Reach Every Mother and Child Act of 2023 (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Sens. Collins (R-ME), Coons (D-DE), Wicker (R-MS), and Durbin (D-IL), this bill would implement policies to end preventable maternal, newborn, and child deaths globally.
S. 1570 – Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Sens. Duckworth (D-IL), Daines (R-MT), and Hirono (D-HI), this bill would amend the Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Act to require hygienic handling of breast milk and baby formula by security screening personnel of the Transportation Security Administration and personnel of private security companies providing security screening.
S. 1573 – PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2023 (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Sens. Bennet (D-CO), Boozman (R-AR), Stabenow (D-MI), Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Klobuchar (D-MN), Gillibrand (D-NY), and Smith (D-MN), this bill would reauthorize the Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who deliver Infants Early Act, which includes critical federal research, education, and intervention activities to reduce preterm birth and infant mortality. The legislation will help improve pregnancy outcomes and infant health by continuing such programs and study factors that lead to preterm birth to identify effective prevention and treatment options.
S. 1593 – Extending WIC for New Moms Act*
- Introduced by Sens. Blumenthal (D-CT) and Booker (D-NJ), this bill would extend eligibility for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) for new moms. This bill is part of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act package.
S. 1594 – Social Determinants for Moms Act*
- Introduced by Sens. Blumenthal (D-CT), Booker (D-NJ), and Ossoff (D-GA), this bill would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to convene a task force to develop strategies and coordinate efforts to eliminate preventable maternal mortality. This bill is part of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act package.
S. 1599 – Data to Save Moms Act*
- Introduced by Sens. Smith (D-MN) and Booker (D-NJ), this bill would provide for grants to promote representative community engagement in maternal mortality review committees. This bill is part of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act package.
S. 1601 – Protecting Moms and Babies Against Climate Change Act*
- Introduced by Sens. Markey (D-MA), Booker (D-NJ), Blumenthal (D-CT), and Sanders (I-VT), this bill would protect Moms and babies against climate change. This bill is part of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act package.
- Introduced by Sens. Gillibrand (D-NY) and Booker (D-NJ), this bill would provide for grants to address maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders. This bill is part of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act package.
S. 1603 – Maternal Vaccinations Act*
- Introduced by Sen. Kaine (D-VA), this bill would amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to maternal vaccination awareness and equity, and would increase vaccination rates of pregnant and postpartum individuals. This bill is part of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act package.
S. 1604 – WIC Act of 2023 (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Sens. Casey (D-PA) and Collins (R-ME), this bill would increase the age of eligibility for children to receive benefits under the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC).
S. 1605 – Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act*
- Introduced by Sens. Warren (D-MA), Booker (D-NJ), and Gillibrand (D-NY), this bill would authorize appropriations for data collection, surveillance, and research on maternal health outcomes during public health emergencies. This bill is part of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act package.
S. 1606– Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act*
- Introduced by Sen. Booker (D-NJ) and 27 cosponsors, this bill would end preventable maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and maternal health disparities in the United States. The Momnibus Act is a package of legislation to save moms’ lives and address every driver of maternal mortality, morbidity, and disparities in the United States. The Momnibus is made up of 13 bills sponsored by Black Maternal Health Caucus Members.
S. 1699 – Tech to Save Moms Act (bipartisan)
- Introduced by Sens. Menendez (D-NJ), Booker (D-NJ), and Sullivan (R-AK), this bill would support the use of technology in maternal health care. This bill is part of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act package.
S. 1710 – Perinatal Workforce Act*
- Introduced by Sens. Baldwin (D-WI), Merkley (D-OR), and Booker (D-NJ), this bill would grow and diversify the perinatal workforce. This bill is part of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act package.
- Introduced by Sens. Merkley (D-OR), Murray (D-WA), Fetterman (D-PA), Booker (D-NJ), Blumenthal (D-CT), and Gillibrand (D-NY), this bill would expand access to breastfeeding accommodations in the workplace for certain employees of air carrier employers.
- Introduced by Sens. Casey (D-PA), Booker (D-NJ), and Menendez (D-NJ), this bill would establish a demonstration program to allow States to test payment models for maternity care provided under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
S. 1851 – Midwives for MOMS Act (bipartisan)*
- Introduced by Sens. Lujan (D-NM) and Murkowski (R-AK), this bill would address maternity care shortages and promote optimal maternity outcomes by expanding educational opportunities for midwives.
* Denotes bicameral legislation