Mobile Cancer Screening Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4417
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-15: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-21T08:08:42Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Mobile Cancer Screening Act aims to improve access to cancer screening services in rural and underserved communities by funding new mobile cancer screening units. It addresses low screening rates for cancers like lung and breast cancer, which contribute to late diagnoses and higher mortality, by amending the Public Health Service Act to provide federal support for these mobile units.
Key Provisions
- Grant Awards: The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), will award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to support the creation of new mobile cancer screening units focused on essential screenings (e.g., for lung and breast cancer).
- Eligible Recipients: Nonprofit hospitals, federally qualified health centers (community-based clinics that provide primary care to underserved populations), academic health centers, health systems, or collaborations among these entities.
- Allowed Uses of Funds:
- Purchasing vehicles for mobile units.
- Acquiring imaging equipment (e.g., for scans).
- Buying digital tools for operations.
- Covering other essential startup or ongoing costs, as determined by HHS.
- Award Limits and Requirements:
- Maximum award: $2,000,000 per recipient.
- Matching funds: Recipients must provide non-federal funds (cash or in-kind) at a ratio of at least 1:3 (one dollar for every three federal dollars).
- Prioritization Criteria:
- Projects with the greatest potential to reduce cancer deaths and address screening gaps for high-risk individuals.
- Services in underserved areas, including rural communities and those served by the Indian Health Service (federal program for Native American health care).
- Ability to offer follow-up care for abnormal results within 90 minutes by ground travel.
- Reporting and Oversight: HHS must submit a report to Congress within 4 years of enactment, including de-identified data on patients screened (broken down by race, ethnicity, age, sex, region, disability, etc.), program impacts on screening rates and outcomes, improvement recommendations, and other relevant details.
- Funding: Authorizes $15,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill adds a new Subpart XIII to Part D of Title III of the Public Health Service Act (which deals with primary health care services). It introduces a dedicated funding mechanism for mobile cancer screening units, which did not previously exist in this form, expanding federal support beyond stationary clinics to mobile services targeted at rural and underserved areas.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: HRSA will administer the program, requiring new grant management processes, data collection, and reporting to Congress, potentially increasing administrative workload but aligning with existing public health mandates.
- On Citizens: Could significantly boost early cancer detection in rural and underserved populations, where access to screening is limited, potentially saving lives by increasing screening rates (e.g., from the current 4.5% for lung cancer) and enabling earlier treatment. Benefits high-risk groups, including those in remote areas or served by Indian Health Service.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. health care.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Health Care Providers: Nonprofit hospitals, federally qualified health centers, academic health centers, and health systems, which can apply for and operate the mobile units.
- Patients and Communities: Rural residents, underserved populations (e.g., low-income, Native American, or geographically isolated individuals), who gain better access to cancer screenings.
- Federal Agencies: HHS and HRSA, responsible for implementation, funding, and evaluation.
- Congress: Receives reports and oversees the program's effectiveness.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens public health infrastructure under the Public Health Service Act without altering broader health care laws (e.g., no changes to insurance coverage). The matching funds requirement ensures shared responsibility but may limit participation by smaller entities. Prioritization of underserved areas promotes health equity, aligning with anti-discrimination principles in federal health programs.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it exercises Congress's spending power to promote general welfare through targeted health initiatives.
- Political: Introduced by bipartisan sponsors (Democrats), it emphasizes evidence-based public health investment amid ongoing concerns about cancer disparities. The 5-year funding authorization provides stability but depends on future appropriations, potentially subject to budget debates. The required congressional report could inform future expansions or adjustments to the program.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-15: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-07-15: Introduced in House
- 2025-07-15: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Mobile Cancer Screening Act — issued 2025-07-15 — PDF (6 pages)