HOPE Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5379
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-16: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Last Updated
- 2025-09-25T15:29:24Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Health Opportunities to Promote Equity Act (HOPE Act), H.R. 5379, aims to ensure equitable distribution of grants under the Health Profession Opportunity Grant (HPOG) program by requiring awards to eligible entities in every U.S. state (excluding territories). The HPOG program, part of the Social Security Act, funds training and education for low-income individuals to enter high-demand health professions, such as nursing or medical assisting.
Key Provisions
- Grant Guarantees: For each funding cycle, the Secretary of Health and Human Services must award HPOG grants to at least two eligible entities (e.g., community colleges, workforce boards, or nonprofits) in each state that is not a U.S. territory, provided there are enough qualified applications. If fewer than two eligible entities apply in a state, the Secretary must note this in a required report.
- Reporting Requirements: The Secretary must submit biennial reports (once during each two-year congressional session) to the House Ways and Means Committee and Senate Finance Committee. These reports cover:
- The number of grant applications received under the program's subsections.
- The number of applications approved.
- Details on how grants were handled in states with insufficient applicants.
- Effective Date: The changes take effect on October 1, 2025.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill amends Section 2008 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397g) by adding a new subsection (c) focused on state-level guarantees and reporting. It redesignates existing subsections (c) and (d) as (d) and (e). Previously, HPOG grants were awarded competitively without a minimum requirement per state, potentially leaving some states without funding if applications were low or uncompetitive. The new rules mandate broader geographic coverage to prevent such gaps.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will face increased administrative duties to evaluate applications by state and prepare detailed reports to Congress, which could require additional resources for tracking and analysis.
- On Citizens: Low-income individuals in underserved states may gain better access to job training in health fields, potentially improving employment opportunities and workforce diversity in healthcare. This could help address shortages in health professions nationwide.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. states and does not involve foreign entities or territories explicitly.
- Broader Effects: By promoting grants in every state, the legislation could lead to more balanced investment in health workforce development, reducing regional disparities in training programs.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- States and Eligible Entities: Non-territory states (50 states plus the District of Columbia) and organizations like educational institutions or community groups that apply for HPOG grants, who will have guaranteed opportunities if qualified.
- Low-Income Individuals: Primary beneficiaries, as the program targets training for healthcare jobs to promote economic mobility.
- Federal Government: HHS for implementation and reporting; congressional committees (Ways and Means and Finance) for oversight.
- Healthcare Sector: Employers and providers may benefit from a more evenly distributed supply of trained workers.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill enforces a statutory minimum for grant distribution without altering core eligibility criteria, ensuring compliance with existing HPOG rules. It introduces accountability through mandatory reporting, which could lead to future congressional adjustments if disparities persist.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; the legislation operates within Congress's spending power under Article I, Section 8, to allocate federal funds for public welfare.
- Political: By emphasizing equity across states, the act addresses potential criticisms of uneven federal funding, appealing to bipartisan interests in workforce development and rural/urban balance. It may encourage more applications from underrepresented areas but could strain limited HPOG funding if demands exceed budgets.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-16: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 2025-09-16: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-16: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Health Opportunities to Promote Equity Act — issued 2025-09-16 — PDF (3 pages)