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Congress·In Committee·S. 3840

Senate Committee Reviews Health Investment Zones Act to Boost Care in Underserved Areas

A bill to provide for the designation of areas as Health Investment Zones to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes in such areas, and for other purposes.

Also known as: 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

Senate
House
President
Law

Key Points

  • This bill would create "Health Investment Zones" in areas with high poverty, low life expectancy, or a shortage of doctors. These zones would receive special federal support for 10 years to help close the gap in health quality between different neighborhoods.
  • Healthcare workers who choose to work in these zones could receive significant financial help. This includes a 30% tax credit on their wages and up to $100,000 in student loan repayments to encourage more doctors, dentists, and mental health professionals to serve these communities.
  • The plan provides grants of up to $5 million for local organizations to improve clinics, buy medical equipment, or start mobile health units. It also funds programs to help patients with transportation to appointments and access to healthy food and housing.
  • Doctors treating patients in these zones would receive higher payments from Medicare. This includes a 10% to 25% bonus for services like annual wellness visits, diabetes training, and cancer screenings to make sure high-quality care is available where it is needed most.
  • To qualify for these benefits, local governments or nonprofits must team up with hospitals and clinics to create a long-term plan. They must show how they will reduce specific health problems like asthma, diabetes, and heart disease in their community.
HealthcareTaxesEducation

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, 2026Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Feb 11, 2026

Introduced in Senate

Related Bills

1 bill
H.R. 7496Identical bill

Health Investment Zones Act of 2026

Feb 11 — 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.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

A bill to provide for the designation of areas as Health Investment Zones to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes in such areas, and for other purposes.

Bill NumberS 3840
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Sponsor

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.