Improving Measurements for Loneliness and Isolation Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1305
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-13: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-31T19:28:46Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Improving Measurements for Loneliness and Isolation Act of 2025 aims to address the public health challenges of loneliness and isolation by directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create a temporary working group. This group will develop standardized ways to measure and define these issues, improving research, public awareness, and strategies to combat them.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- Isolation is defined as an objective lack of social relationships or limited contact with others.
- Loneliness is defined as a subjective feeling of being isolated.
- Establishment of Working Group: The Secretary of HHS must form the "Working Group on Unifying Loneliness Research" to recommend standardized measurements and definitions.
- Goals of the Working Group:
- Promote collaboration among federal agencies to create consistent measurement tools for public and private research, surveys, and healthcare planning to fight loneliness and isolation.
- Develop uniform definitions for public education and awareness.
- Evaluate how past measurement methods in public and private sectors align.
- Composition:
- Senior representatives from HHS agencies, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, and others deemed relevant.
- One representative each from the three states needing the most mental health practitioners to eliminate shortage areas (Health Professional Shortage Areas, or HPSAs—regions with insufficient healthcare providers), and from the three states needing the fewest, as designated by their governors (based on a 2023 HHS report).
- Reporting Requirements: The group must meet at least three times and submit a report with recommendations to specified congressional committees within one year of enactment. The report must also be posted publicly online.
- Duration: The working group sunsets (ends) at the end of 2027.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new federal initiative, as no prior law specifically mandates a working group for standardizing loneliness and isolation measurements. It builds on existing HHS efforts in mental health but creates a novel interagency collaboration focused on metrics and definitions, without altering current statutes directly.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Enhances coordination within HHS and related agencies, potentially leading to more effective use of resources for mental health data collection and policy development. State governments may see indirect benefits through involvement in addressing healthcare shortages.
- Citizens: Could improve public understanding and access to better-targeted programs for loneliness and isolation, especially in underserved areas, by enabling more accurate research and interventions.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. federal and state efforts.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Primarily HHS and its sub-agencies (e.g., NIH, CDC), which must participate and implement recommendations.
- State Governments: Governors of six specific states (three with high and three with low mental health provider shortages) provide representatives, potentially influencing state-level mental health strategies.
- Researchers and Healthcare Providers: Benefit from standardized tools for studies and patient care across sectors.
- General Public: Gains from increased awareness and evidence-based approaches to loneliness, a recognized public health risk factor similar to smoking or obesity.
- Congressional Committees: Receive the report, which could inform future legislation on health and workforce issues.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill is administrative in nature, relying on executive authority under HHS without creating enforceable rights or penalties. It emphasizes voluntary collaboration, avoiding mandates that could raise enforcement concerns.
- Constitutional: No apparent issues, as it involves standard federal powers over public health and interstate commerce; state involvement is consensual via gubernatorial appointments.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan interest (introduced by representatives from both parties) in mental health as a national priority, potentially paving the way for expanded funding or programs. The temporary sunset provision limits long-term commitments, reducing fiscal or bureaucratic expansion risks.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-13: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-02-13: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-13: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Improving Measurements for Loneliness and Isolation Act of 2025 — issued 2025-02-13 — PDF (6 pages)