Developing the Community Health Workforce Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8629
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-30: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-21T14:15:12Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Developing the Community Health Workforce Act of 2026 (H.R. 8629) aims to bolster the recruitment, training, and retention of staff at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)—community-based clinics serving low-income and underserved populations—and rural health clinics. This is intended to enhance access to healthcare and improve health outcomes in rural and underserved areas.
Key Provisions
- National Health Service Corps Priority: Gives priority to FQHCs and rural health clinics when assigning health professionals to areas with shortages.
- Loan Repayment Grants: Provides grants to FQHCs for repaying loans of healthcare professionals who work there, requiring applications with data on workforce needs, repayment plans, and interdisciplinary care teams.
- Workforce Pipeline Grants:
- Grants to health centers for recruiting, hiring, and advancing staff skilled in serving rural/underserved patients.
- Makes FQHCs eligible to register apprenticeship programs (on-the-job training registered with the Department of Labor).
- Grants to colleges (including community colleges and minority-serving institutions) partnering with health centers to train students in clinical, IT, operations, finance, and other health skills.
- Grants to health centers for training behavioral health specialists (e.g., stipends, apprenticeships, recruitment).
- Graduate Medical Education Expansion:
- Allows payments to "teaching health centers" (FQHCs or partners) with formal agreements for residency training.
- Increases Medicare's resident training cap by 3 full-time positions for hospitals conducting significant training at FQHCs.
- Expanded FQHC Services:
- Adds Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement for behavioral health services (e.g., by consultants, peer specialists) and case management starting October 1, 2025.
- Requires HHS to study and issue annual guidance on state Medicaid payment adjustments to FQHCs.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends the Public Health Service Act (Sections 333, 330, 340H) to prioritize FQHCs/rural clinics, add new grant programs for workforce development, apprenticeships, partnerships, and behavioral health training.
- Revises Social Security Act (Medicare Section 1861(aa), 1886(h); Medicaid Sections 1905(l), 1902(bb)) to expand reimbursable services at FQHCs and lift Medicare resident training limits.
- Updates Department of Labor regulations to deem FQHCs eligible for apprenticeships.
- Effective dates: Most changes apply from October 1, 2025; Labor rule revision within 180 days of enactment.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases responsibilities and funding for HHS (grants, priorities, guidance) and Department of Labor (apprenticeships); raises Medicare/Medicaid expenditures via expanded reimbursements and training slots.
- Citizens: Improves healthcare access in rural/underserved areas through more staff, specialists, and services at FQHCs, potentially leading to better health outcomes.
- No direct international relations impact.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- FQHCs and Rural Health Clinics: Primary beneficiaries via grants, priorities, reimbursements, and training expansions.
- Healthcare Professionals: Loan repayments, apprenticeships, residencies, and career advancement opportunities.
- Hospitals and Educational Institutions: New partnerships and Medicare funding for training.
- Rural/Underserved Communities: Enhanced care access, especially behavioral health and case management.
- States: Guidance on Medicaid payments; potential cost-sharing.
- Federal Agencies: HHS, CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services), Department of Labor.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Expands statutory definitions of reimbursable services and training eligibility without altering core program structures; relies on Secretary of HHS definitions for new roles (e.g., behavioral health professionals).
- Constitutional: No apparent issues; uses Congress's spending power for health programs.
- Political: Focuses on rural health disparities, bipartisan sponsorship (Ruiz, Bilirakis); could influence workforce shortages amid ongoing healthcare debates, with costs offset by committee referrals (Energy & Commerce, Ways & Means).
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-30: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-04-30: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-04-30: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-30: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Developing the Community Health Workforce Act of 2026 — issued 2026-04-30 — PDF (11 pages)