CATCH IT Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5858
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-04T08:08:56Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The CATCH IT Act aims to improve access to preventative health care in rural areas by increasing federal financial support for purchasing or upgrading specialized medical equipment through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Community Facilities Grant Program. This program helps fund essential facilities in rural communities, and the bill targets equipment that detects diseases early to prevent worse health outcomes.
Key Provisions
- Federal Cost Share Increase: For rural health facility projects under the Community Facilities Grant Program, the federal government's share of costs rises by 25 percentage points (from the standard rate) if the project involves buying or upgrading preventative health care equipment.
- Definition of Preventative Health Care Equipment: The bill specifies examples of qualifying equipment, including:
- Advanced breast imaging tools for 3D mammography.
- Mobile units for cancer screening.
- Lab equipment for multi-cancer early detection or diagnostic screening.
- Tools for colorectal cancer screening.
- Computerized tomography (CT) scanners.
- Diagnostic ultrasound devices.
- Effective Date: Changes apply starting the first day of the first federal fiscal year after the bill's enactment (likely October 1 of the following year, based on standard U.S. fiscal calendars).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 306(a)(19)(B) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(19)(B)), which governs the Community Facilities Grant Program.
- Previously, the federal share for rural facility grants was set at a base rate (often up to 75% for low-income areas), with adjustments for need. The bill adds a targeted 25-point boost specifically for preventative equipment, making it easier for rural facilities to afford advanced technology without relying as much on local funding.
- Introduces a clear definition of "preventative health care equipment" to guide eligibility, which was not explicitly detailed before.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The USDA will administer higher grant contributions for qualifying projects, potentially increasing federal expenditures on rural health infrastructure. This could strain budgets if demand rises but aligns with existing rural development priorities.
- On Citizens: Rural residents, especially in underserved areas, may gain better access to early detection tools for cancers and other conditions, leading to earlier interventions, reduced health disparities, and lower long-term medical costs. Facilities can upgrade without full local funding, benefiting low-income communities.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic rural U.S. health programs.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Rural Health Facilities: Primary beneficiaries, as they can more easily acquire advanced equipment to serve patients.
- Rural Communities and Patients: Gain improved preventative care, particularly for cancer screening, enhancing health equity in areas with limited medical resources.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): Responsible for implementing the grant adjustments and verifying equipment eligibility.
- Local Governments and Non-Profits: May see reduced financial burdens for co-funding rural health projects.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens the existing framework of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act without creating new programs, ensuring compliance with federal grant rules. The equipment definition provides clarity to prevent disputes over eligibility.
- Constitutional: No significant issues; it supports the federal government's role in promoting general welfare (under Article I, Section 8) through rural aid, without infringing on states' rights.
- Political: Promotes bipartisan rural health priorities (introduced by representatives from rural districts), potentially influencing future farm bills or health funding debates by emphasizing preventative care to address rural-urban health gaps.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3]
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
- 2025-10-28: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 2025-10-28: Introduced in House
- 2025-10-28: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Community Access to Treatment and Care for Health through Increased Testing Act — issued 2025-10-28 — PDF (3 pages)