Technical Assistance for Health Grants Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5386
- 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
- 2025-09-26T14:25:27Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The "Technical Assistance for Health Grants Act" (H.R. 5386) aims to enhance the Health Profession Opportunity Grant (HPOG) program under Section 2008 of the Social Security Act. The HPOG program provides grants to help low-income individuals, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients, gain training and employment in high-demand healthcare jobs. This bill specifically expands support by mandating technical assistance to grantees, improving program application, administration, and outcomes.
Key Provisions
- Technical Assistance Requirements: The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) must provide tailored technical assistance to eligible entities (grantees), including:
- Help with grant applications.
- Support customized to different stages of project management.
- Specialized aid for Indian tribes, tribal organizations, tribal colleges and universities, U.S. territories (e.g., Puerto Rico, Guam), and demonstration projects.
- Facilitation of information sharing on best practices among grantees.
- Peer Conferences: HHS must organize conferences where grantees can collaborate and learn from each other.
- Reporting: HHS must submit annual reports to the House Ways and Means Committee and Senate Finance Committee detailing the technical assistance provided.
- Funding Allocation: $15 million is authorized for fiscal year 2026 specifically for these technical assistance activities.
- Effective Date: Changes take effect on October 1, 2025.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Removes a specific subparagraph (D) from subsection (b)(4) of Section 2008 (details of which are not specified in the bill text but likely relate to prior restrictions on technical assistance).
- Inserts a new subsection (c) dedicated to technical assistance, shifting existing subsections (c) and (d) to (d) and (e).
- Adds dedicated funding for technical assistance, previously not separately allocated in the HPOG program.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: HHS will need to allocate resources for providing assistance, hosting conferences, and preparing reports, potentially increasing administrative workload but improving grant program efficiency.
- On Citizens: Low-income individuals, TANF recipients, and those in underserved communities (e.g., tribal members, territorial residents) may benefit from better-trained grantees, leading to more effective job training and higher employment rates in healthcare.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. programs.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Grantees and Eligible Entities: Community colleges, workforce agencies, and nonprofits receiving HPOG funds, who gain access to customized support for program success.
- Underserved Groups: Indian tribes, tribal organizations, tribal colleges, and residents of U.S. territories, who receive targeted assistance to address unique barriers.
- HHS and Federal Government: Responsible for implementing and funding the technical assistance.
- Congress: Receives reports to oversee program effectiveness.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens the HPOG program's framework by codifying technical assistance as a core component, ensuring equitable support without altering grant eligibility or core funding. No challenges to federal authority are evident.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power under Article I, Section 8, to promote general welfare through workforce development.
- Political: Could foster bipartisan support by emphasizing aid to vulnerable populations and efficient use of federal funds, though it introduces modest new spending ($15 million) amid budget debates. No major controversies are implied in the bill text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4]
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
- Technical Assistance for Health Grants Act — issued 2025-09-16 — PDF (3 pages)