Public Health Funding Restoration Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1715
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-27: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T06:40:25Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Public Health Funding Restoration Act (H.R. 1715) aims to restore full funding to the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF), a program created under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). It seeks to emphasize the role of preventive health measures in improving overall health outcomes and controlling healthcare costs in the United States.
Key Provisions
- Restoration of Funding Levels: The bill amends Section 4002(b) of the ACA to allocate $2,000,000,000 annually to the PPHF starting in fiscal year 2026 and for all subsequent years.
- Findings Supporting the Bill: The legislation includes congressional findings that highlight the PPHF's role in funding evidence-based programs for disease prevention, such as tobacco cessation, nutrition, mental health, immunizations, and responses to public health threats. It notes the fund's effectiveness in reducing healthcare costs (e.g., $1 in prevention saves nearly $6 in health spending) and its importance for state and local flexibility in addressing community-specific issues.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The amendment removes previous funding reduction provisions (paragraphs 5 through 10 of Section 4002(b) of the ACA), which had gradually decreased PPHF appropriations over time.
- This reverses cuts to the fund, reinstating a stable, higher annual amount of $2 billion, compared to prior declining levels that undermined public health efforts.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Provides sustained resources to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to expand programs like immunization grants (Section 317) and epidemiology capacity, enhancing the nation's ability to prevent pandemics, epidemics, and chronic diseases.
- On Citizens: Could lead to better public health outcomes, such as reduced infant mortality, fewer preventable deaths from conditions like cancer and diabetes, and lower long-term healthcare costs (estimated savings of $16.5 billion annually from $2.9 billion in prevention investments within five years). It supports community-level initiatives for vulnerable groups, including children, elders, and those at risk of infectious diseases.
- On International Relations: Indirectly strengthens U.S. public health infrastructure to better respond to global threats, potentially improving coordination with international partners on issues like infectious disease control, though no direct foreign policy changes are specified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: HHS and CDC, which receive and distribute PPHF funds for national prevention efforts.
- State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Health Departments: Gain flexible funding to tailor responses to local needs, such as vaccination distribution and injury prevention.
- Citizens and Communities: Benefit from expanded access to preventive services, particularly in underserved areas, leading to improved health and economic savings.
- Healthcare Providers and Programs: Organizations involved in tobacco prevention, mental health, nutrition, and immunization initiatives receive bolstered support.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: The bill directly modifies an existing ACA provision without altering broader healthcare laws, ensuring compliance with federal budgeting processes. It reaffirms the PPHF's statutory authority under 42 U.S.C. § 300u-11, focusing on mandatory appropriations that could influence future congressional budget debates.
- Constitutional Implications: No apparent challenges; it aligns with Congress's spending power under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution to fund public welfare programs.
- Political Implications: Represents a bipartisan reaffirmation of preventive health investments amid past funding disputes, potentially signaling a shift toward prioritizing long-term public health resilience over short-term budget cuts, though it may spark debates on federal spending priorities.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7]
Cosponsors (34)
Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray, Jr. [D-CA-31], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Grijalva, Raúl M. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-27: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-02-27: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Public Health Funding Restoration Act — issued 2025-02-27 — PDF (4 pages)