Women’s Heart Health Expansion Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7417
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-09: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-26T08:07:20Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Women's Heart Health Expansion Act of 2026 aims to reauthorize and expand the WISEWOMAN program under the Public Health Service Act. This program provides supplemental preventive health services to help detect and prevent heart disease in low-income, underserved women, building on existing breast and cervical cancer screening efforts.
Key Provisions
- Grant Awards: The Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), can award supplemental grants to organizations already receiving grants under section 1501 of the Public Health Service Act (which funds breast and cervical cancer screening).
- Services Provided:
- Screenings for blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- Health education on preventive care.
- Referrals for medical treatment and follow-up services where possible.
- Evaluation of program activities through monitoring and surveillance.
- Eligibility: Services target women already in the section 1501 program, plus other low-income women who meet criteria set by the Secretary.
- Service Providers: Grants must be carried out by entities screening for breast and cervical cancer or other approved organizations designated by the grant recipient.
- Funding Authorization: $250,000,000 is authorized for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to support these activities.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill fully replaces section 1509 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300n-4a), which previously authorized the WISEWOMAN program in a more limited form. The new version explicitly expands the program's scope to include heart disease prevention services (like blood pressure and cholesterol screenings) alongside cancer screenings, adds requirements for referrals and follow-up, and sets a specific multi-year funding authorization. It shifts from a general reauthorization to a more detailed framework emphasizing integration with existing cancer programs.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The CDC will administer the grants, potentially increasing its workload in coordinating preventive health initiatives and monitoring outcomes. This could enhance federal support for women's health programs without requiring new agencies.
- On Citizens: Low-income women, particularly those underserved in rural or urban areas, gain better access to free or low-cost heart health screenings and education, potentially reducing heart disease risks and improving early detection. It may lower long-term healthcare costs by preventing advanced illnesses.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic public health programs.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Low-Income and Underserved Women: Primary beneficiaries, especially those eligible for or receiving breast and cervical cancer screenings, who now have expanded access to heart health services.
- Healthcare Providers and Organizations: Entities like community health centers or nonprofits involved in cancer screening programs, which can receive supplemental funding to broaden services.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Responsible for awarding and overseeing grants, with increased funding to support program expansion.
- Federal Government and Taxpayers: Congress and the Department of Health and Human Services manage funding allocation, affecting budget priorities for preventive care.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens the Public Health Service Act by integrating heart health into established cancer prevention frameworks, ensuring compliance with federal grant requirements for evaluation and eligibility. No challenges to existing laws are introduced.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority under the Spending Clause to fund public health initiatives, promoting general welfare without infringing on individual rights.
- Political: Introduced with bipartisan support (from both Democratic and Republican members), signaling broad consensus on women's preventive health. It could influence future health policy debates by prioritizing equity in care for underserved populations, potentially setting a precedent for expanding similar programs to other diseases.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (28)
Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4], Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5], Rep. Morrison, Kelly [D-MN-3], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-09: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2026-02-09: Introduced in House
- 2026-02-09: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Women’s Heart Health Expansion Act of 2026 — issued 2026-02-09 — PDF (3 pages)