Healthy Start Reauthorization Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3302
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-10-03: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 284.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-04T05:06:18Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Healthy Start Reauthorization Act of 2025 aims to extend and fund the Healthy Start Initiative, a program under the Public Health Service Act that supports community-based efforts to improve maternal and infant health outcomes, particularly in underserved areas with high rates of infant mortality and poor perinatal health.
Key Provisions
- Amends Section 330H(e)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254c-8) to authorize specific funding levels for the initiative.
- Sets an appropriation of $145,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2030, in addition to any prior appropriations.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Updates the funding authorization by restructuring the language in the existing law to include a new subparagraph (B) that specifies the $145 million annual amount for the five-year period (2026–2030).
- This replaces or supplements previous appropriation language, ensuring dedicated funding without altering the core structure or eligibility criteria of the Healthy Start Initiative.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Provides predictable federal funding to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for grant administration, potentially streamlining program delivery and reducing reliance on short-term appropriations.
- On citizens: Enhances access to prenatal care, infant health services, and family support in high-risk communities, which could lower infant mortality rates and improve overall maternal health for low-income and underserved populations.
- On international relations: No direct impact, as the legislation focuses on domestic public health programs.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Pregnant women and infants: Primary beneficiaries through expanded health services in targeted communities.
- Families in underserved areas: Particularly those facing barriers to healthcare, such as racial or ethnic minorities and low-income households.
- Healthcare providers and community organizations: Eligible grantees that receive funding to operate Healthy Start programs.
- Federal government: HHS and Congress, responsible for oversight, funding allocation, and program evaluation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens the statutory basis for ongoing federal support of public health initiatives without introducing new regulatory burdens; aligns with existing authority under the Public Health Service Act to address health disparities.
- Constitutional: No significant challenges, as it involves Congress's spending power to promote general welfare through health programs.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (e.g., by Representatives Ocasio-Cortez and Malliotakis) signals broad support for maternal health; reauthorization could influence future budget debates by locking in funding levels, potentially pressuring lawmakers to appropriate the full amounts to avoid underfunding critical services.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14]
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4]
Recent Actions
- 2025-10-03: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 284.
- 2025-10-03: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-331.
- 2025-10-03: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-331.
- 2025-09-17: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 49 - 0.
- 2025-09-17: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-09-10: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- 2025-09-10: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2025-09-10: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 2025-05-08: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-05-08: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-08: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Healthy Start Reauthorization Act of 2025 — issued 2025-05-08 — PDF (2 pages)
- Healthy Start Reauthorization Act of 2025 — issued 2025-10-03 — PDF (4 pages)