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Congress·In Committee·H.R. 7496

Rep. Harder Proposes 'Health Investment Zones' to Tackle Medical Shortages in Poor Communities

Health Investment Zones Act of 2026

about 1 month ago·View on Congress.gov
Part of: Bipartisan Health Investment Zones Act Introduced to Combat Medical Shortages

Legislative Progress

House
Senate
President
Law

Key Points

  • This bill would create "Health Investment Zones" in communities that struggle with poverty, short life expectancies, or a shortage of doctors. These areas would get special federal help for 10 years to help residents get healthier and close the gap in medical care.
  • To bring more medical staff to these areas, the bill offers healthcare workers a 30% tax credit on their wages. It also provides up to $10,000 a year to help doctors, nurses, and dentists pay off their student loans if they commit to working in these zones for at least one year.
  • Local groups and governments could get grants to fund projects like mobile clinics, free rides to medical appointments, and better access to healthy food and housing. These grants can also be used to fix up local clinics or buy new medical equipment like X-ray machines.
  • Medicare would pay doctors more for treating patients in these zones. This includes a 10% bonus for most services and an extra 10% bonus for wellness checkups and cancer screenings to encourage people to get preventative care before they get sick.
HealthcareTaxesEducationLabor Employment

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

State Impacts

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Feb 11, 2026House

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.

Feb 11, 2026

Introduced in House

Related Bills

1 bill
S. 3840Identical bill

Health Investment Zones Act of 2026

Feb 11 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Health Investment Zones Act of 2026

Bill NumberHR 7496
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred 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.

Sponsor

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.