Bill · H.R. 7496· House(119-HR-7496)
Health Investment Zones Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 2/11/2026
- Last activity
- 2/11/2026 — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Education and Workforce, 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.
- Sponsored by
- Josh Harder
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Health Investment Zones Act of 2026 aims to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes by designating specific areas as Health Investment Zones. These zones are identified by measurable health disparities, such as low income or lower life expectancy. To support these areas, the bill provides various incentives, including tax credits for workers and grants for community organizations. It also establishes a student loan repayment program for health care practitioners. Additionally, the bill offers incentive payments for Medicare items and services provided within these zones.
Yes· 3 of 10
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+6
The bill improves access through practitioner loan repayment, tax credits, and community grants for mobile clinics and transportation.
Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65?+5
The bill increases Medicare payments by 5 to 10 percent for items and services provided within Health Investment Zones.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+5
The bill targets areas with high poverty rates to improve healthcare access and services.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Health Outcomes and Reduced Disparities: The designation of Health Investment Zones is intended to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes in specific areas (Section 2(a)(1)).
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Support for Local Organizations and Communities: The Secretary may award grants to community-based nonprofit organizations or local governmental agencies to support their efforts in reducing health disparities (Section 4(a)).
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Increased Health Care Access via Innovative Strategies: Grant funds may be used for various community improvements, such as mobile clinics, transportation to medical appointments, and improved access to healthy food, recreation, and high-quality housing (Section 4(b)(2)).
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Financial Incentives for Health Care Workers: The bill provides tax credits for qualified Health Investment Zone workers (Section 3(a)) and creates a student loan repayment program for eligible practitioners (Section 5(a)).
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Increased Payment for Medical Services: Medicare provides additional incentive payments for items and services furnished in Health Investment Zones, including a 10 percent increase for certain services and a 5 percent increase for those at specific clinics (Section 6(a)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Requirements for Application Complexity: To receive designation or grants, organizations must submit effective and sustainable plans that include specific disease indicators and descriptions of how grant funds will be used (Section 2(d)).
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Strict Limits on Loan Repayment: The student loan repayment program is restricted to a maximum of 10 years of payments, with a cap of $10,000 per year or a total of $100,000 per practitioner (Section 5(b)).
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Restrictions on Double Payments: Under the loan repayment program, borrowers cannot receive payments for the same service from both this program and another federally supported loan program (Section 5(c)(2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+6Increases Medicare Funding+5Improves Mental Health Access+4
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+5Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Hispanic Americans+3Good For Urban Residents+2
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3Reduces Middle Class Taxes+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+3
- 2/11/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Education and Workforce, 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.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.