Bill · S. 4254· Senate(119-S-4254)
Health Workforce Innovation Act
- Introduced
- 3/26/2026
- Last activity
- 3/26/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- Ron Wyden
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Health Workforce Innovation Act," seeks to amend the Public Health Service Act. It establishes a new "Health Care Workforce Innovation Program" to support new ways of training allied health professionals. The program focuses on community-driven approaches to education and training. There is a specific emphasis on expanding the supply of professionals in rural areas and underserved communities. Eligible entities include Federally qualified health centers, certain rural health clinics, and specific nonprofit vocational programs. The act provides for the authorization of funds for fiscal years 2027 through 2029.
Yes· 3 of 7
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+7
The act prioritizes expanding the supply of health professionals in underserved and rural communities to improve access.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+6
The bill explicitly emphasizes expanding the supply of health professionals in rural areas.
Is this likely to create jobs?+5
The bill funds training, internships, and career ladders to develop a new health care workforce.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased healthcare access in high-need areas: The program emphasizes expanding the supply of health professionals to meet the needs of underserved communities and rural areas (Section 2, (B)(i)).
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Expanded career opportunities and training: The bill allows for the creation of partnerships with high schools, vocational schools, and 2-year colleges, as well as the provision of pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs (Section 2, (C)(i)).
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Support for diverse backgrounds: The program aims to encourage students from disadvantaged backgrounds and former patients to consider careers in health care (Section 2, (C)(i)(II)).
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Improved professional development: Funds may be used to expand internships, career ladders, and development opportunities for both new and existing health care professionals (Section 2, (C)(i)(II)).
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Comprehensive care models: The program supports training for patient-centered, team-based models that include cultural and linguistic competence (Section 2, (C)(i)(II)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on fund usage: Funds received through this program cannot be used to support construction costs (Section 2, (C)(i)(ii)).
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Prohibition on replacing existing funds: The bill explicitly states that grant or contract amounts may not be used to supplant funding from existing programs that support the applicant's health workforce (Section 2, (C)(i)(ii)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+6Good For Low Income Households+4Good For Hispanic Americans+2
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+7
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+5
- Education And Technology
- Improves College Affordability+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+2
- 3/26/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Marsha BlackburnRepublican · Tennessee