Health Access Innovation Act of 2025
The Health Access Innovation Act of 2025 would add a new grant program to the Public Health Service Act to fund faith- or community-based organizations (CBOs) that work to reduce persistent health inequities and chronic disease challenges. The Health Equity Innovation Grant Program would support culturally and linguistically appropriate care, drive innovation, and address social determinants of health. Eligible grants could cover medical services, screenings, preventive care, expanding access to care and a diverse health workforce, and backing community health navigators, workers (including promotores de salud), peer support specialists, and other trusted messengers. Grants target organizations with a track record of addressing disparities in medically underserved communities or designated health professional shortage areas, and priority goes to groups that ran health workforce or access programs during a public health emergency. The Act would authorize specific annual funding levels beginning in FY2026 and cap administrative costs at 5%.
Key Points
- 1Establishes the Health Equity Innovation Grant Program (added as Sec. 399V-8 to Part P, title III of the Public Health Service Act) to fund eligible faith- or community-based organizations.
- 2Eligible entities must have demonstrated ability to reduce chronic health disparities and be located in a medically underserved community or a designated health professional shortage area.
- 3Authorized uses of funds include paying for medical services and preventive care; expanding access to care and culturally/linguistically appropriate services; expanding the health workforce; and addressing social determinants of health.
- 4Programs may support community health navigators, community health workers (promotores de salud), peer support specialists, community health representatives, and other professionals who work with trusted messengers from faith- or community-based organizations.
- 5Priority given to organizations that established or operated health workforce or health care access programs during a public health emergency.
- 6Community-based organization is defined consistent with the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) section 8101.
- 7Authorization of appropriations starting FY2026: $50 million (FY2026), $55 million (FY2027), $60 million (FY2028), $65 million (FY2029), and $70 million (FY2029, per the text); administrative costs capped at 5% of funds.
- 8Bill introduced in the House by Ms. Williams (GA) with cosponsors, referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce; the text specifies the program and funding but does not provide implementation details.