PREVENT HPV Cancers Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 6561

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-12-10: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2026-06-25T08:08:30Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The PREVENT HPV Cancers Act of 2025 aims to reduce the incidence of cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) through increased public awareness, vaccination promotion, and enhanced early detection programs. It addresses disparities in HPV-related health outcomes by amending the Public Health Service Act to fund a national awareness campaign and boost resources for screening.

Key Provisions

• Findings Section: Outlines key facts about HPV, including its role in causing six types of cancer (anal, cervical, oropharynx, penile, vaginal, and vulvar), annual U.S. cases (about 39,300), higher risks for Black and Hispanic women, declining screening rates, and the effectiveness of HPV vaccines (especially for ages 9-12, licensed up to age 45). It notes lower vaccination rates among adolescents (63% completion) compared to other vaccines, rural-urban gaps, and the importance of provider recommendations.

• HPV Cancer Prevention Public Awareness Campaign (adds new subsection (o) to Section 317 of the Public Health Service Act):
• Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to launch a national campaign to raise awareness of HPV vaccination's role in preventing cancers, counter misinformation, and improve vaccination rates and series completion.
• Requires consultation with experts like the National Academy of Medicine, health providers, nonprofits (especially those serving high-risk communities), public health departments, schools, and universities for evidence-based strategies.
• Campaign requirements include:
• Use of evidence-based media and public engagement.
• Implementation via competitive grants or cooperative agreements to nonprofits experienced in similar efforts.
• Development of culturally and linguistically appropriate resources tailored for high-risk groups (e.g., unvaccinated individuals including males, Black and Hispanic women, rural communities, active-duty service members, veterans, and those with rising oropharynx cancers).
• Dissemination of information to health care providers (e.g., primary care, dentists, obstetricians), facilities, public health departments, schools, and universities.
• Coordination with other federal HPV vaccination and cancer screening efforts (including self-collection screening methods).
• Message testing for effective, culturally sensitive behavioral change strategies.
• Grants to state, local, and Tribal public health departments to engage communities, schools, providers, and organizations in vaccination strategies and to promote the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.
• Dissemination options: Use of social media, TV, radio, print, internet, in-person/virtual events, and trusted figures; targeting specific groups; highlighting recommended vaccination ages, benefits (e.g., cancer prevention), and safety monitoring systems.
• Authorizes $5 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

• Report to Congress: By September 30, 2027, HHS must submit a report to relevant House and Senate committees assessing the campaign's qualitative impact and its effects on HPV-associated cancers.

• Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (amends Section 1510(a)):
• Increases authorized funding from $275 million (for fiscal year 2012) to $300 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

• Coordinating Committee (amends Section 1501(d)):
• Extends the committee's term from 2020 to 2030 to oversee related activities.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Adds a new subsection to Section 317 of the Public Health Service Act to establish the HPV awareness campaign, which did not previously exist in this form.
• Updates funding authorization in Section 1510(a) by adding new annual appropriations for 2026-2030, building on prior levels.
• Extends the expiration date of the Coordinating Committee in Section 1501(d) from 2020 to 2030, ensuring continued oversight without creating a new entity.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The CDC and HHS will lead campaign implementation, requiring coordination with state, local, and Tribal health departments; increased funding ($5 million for the campaign plus $300 million annually for screening) may strain administrative resources but enhance public health infrastructure. The required report will inform future federal health policy.
• Citizens: Could lead to higher HPV vaccination rates, especially among adolescents, rural residents, and underserved groups (e.g., Black and Hispanic women, men at risk for oropharynx cancer), potentially reducing cancer cases, improving early detection, and lowering morbidity/mortality from late-stage diagnoses. Benefits include better access to tailored education and screening, though rural and low-income areas may see the most gains.
• International Relations: No direct impacts mentioned; the bill focuses on domestic U.S. public health.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• High-Risk Communities: Black and Hispanic women (higher cervical cancer rates), rural adolescents (lower vaccination), men (oropharynx cancers), active-duty service members, veterans, and unvaccinated individuals.
• Health Care Providers and Facilities: Primary care, community health centers, dentists, obstetricians/gynecologists, and pediatric providers who will receive and disseminate resources.
• Public Health and Education Entities: State, local, and Tribal health departments; schools (elementary/secondary and higher education); nonprofits serving impacted communities.
• Government and Oversight Bodies: HHS, CDC, congressional committees (Energy and Commerce, Health, Education, Labor and Pensions) for reporting and funding.
• Broader Public: Adolescents and parents benefiting from increased vaccination awareness and safety information.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Authorizes specific appropriations and amends an existing federal health law (Public Health Service Act), providing a clear framework for grants and campaigns without mandating private actions. Emphasizes evidence-based and voluntary measures, avoiding regulatory overreach.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority under the Spending Clause to fund public health initiatives; no apparent conflicts with free speech (campaign combats misinformation but focuses on education) or equal protection (targets disparities without discrimination).
• Political: Introduced with bipartisan support (sponsors from both parties), signaling broad consensus on preventive health; could influence future funding debates on vaccination and cancer prevention, potentially setting precedents for addressing health disparities in federal programs.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14]

Cosponsors (5)

Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7]

Recent Actions

• 2025-12-10: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-12-10: Introduced in House
• 2025-12-10: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Promoting Resources to Expand Vaccination, Education and New Treatments for HPV Cancers Act of 2025 — issued 2025-12-10 — PDF (9 pages)