Public Health and Bio-Preparedness Workforce Loan Repayment Reauthorization Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- S. 4283
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-14: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-21T14:23:22Z
AI-Generated Summary
Public Health and Bio-Preparedness Workforce Loan Repayment Reauthorization Act of 2026 (S. 4283)
Purpose
To extend federal funding authorization for a loan repayment program that supports workers in public health and bio-preparedness (preparing for biological threats like pandemics or attacks).
Key Provisions
- Reauthorizes the program under Section 776 of the Public Health Service Act.
- Sets funding availability for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Updates the prior authorization period (fiscal years 2023 through 2025) to fiscal years 2027 through 2031, effectively extending the program's life by six years with a two-year gap.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: Enables the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to continue recruiting and retaining skilled workers without new funding levels specified.
- Citizens: Strengthens national public health and emergency response capabilities by incentivizing professionals to serve in critical roles.
- No direct international effects noted.
Main Stakeholders
- Public health and bio-preparedness workers eligible for student loan repayment in exchange for service commitments.
- Federal agencies like HHS administering the program.
- Taxpayers funding the program through appropriations.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Routine reauthorization with no new powers, mandates, or controversies; maintains existing program structure.
- Relies on congressional appropriations, which must be approved separately each year.
- Bipartisan sponsorship (Sens. Baldwin and Collins) signals broad support for health workforce stability post-pandemic.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-14: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2026-04-14: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Public Health and Bio-Preparedness Workforce Loan Repayment Reauthorization Act of 2026 — issued 2026-04-14 — PDF (2 pages)