A Democratic bill with 5 Democratic cosponsors · See all 5 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Natural Resources, 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.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Health Equity and Rare Disease Act of 2025, or HEARD Act of 2025, seeks to amend the Public Health Service Act to increase investments in research for rare diseases that disproportionately affect minority populations. It directs the NIH to expand and coordinate research activities and establishes a Coordinating Committee to oversee these efforts. The bill includes provisions for developing a comprehensive Federal plan and supporting clinical training for health care professionals. Additionally, it establishes scholarship and loan repayment programs for those serving in this field. The legislation also focuses on increasing data collection, outreach, and awareness regarding rare diseases in minority communities. Finally, it requires various reports to Congress to track progress and identify regulatory barriers.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +7
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill establishes a specific grant program for Tribal Epidemiology Centers and Indian Health Centers to support research in Tribal communities.
- Scored +7
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill specifically targets research, data collection, and health literacy to address health inequities in minority and Tribal communities.
- Scored +6
Does this put more money into medical research?
The legislation directs the NIH and other agencies to expand and intensify research into rare diseases disproportionately affecting minority populations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Research and Treatment Development: The bill directs the NIH to expand research into the causes, prevalence, and treatments of rare diseases, specifically targeting those that affect minority populations (Section 2, Section s 409K).
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Improved Health Care Provider Training: The Act provides for grants to training programs to improve care for individuals with rare diseases, including the use of telehealth (Section 5, Section 749C).
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Financial Incentives for Health Professionals: The bill establishes a loan repayment program of up to $50,000 annually per year of service and a scholarship program for students attending medical school who commit to serving populations with rare diseases (Section 5, Section 749F).
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Enhanced Community Outreach and Literacy: Through grants, the bill supports activities to improve health literacy and disseminate information regarding the maintenance of rare diseases and conditions (Section 4, Section 1707(b)).
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Support for Tribal Communities: The legislation allows for grants to Tribal Epidemiology Centers and Indian Health Centers to support research and data collection specific to Native American or Tribal communities (Section 10, Section 227).
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Increased Diversity in Research: The bill includes provisions to increase the recruitment and retention of minority group members in research through internships and mentoring (Section 6, Section 487E).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill establishes a specific grant program for Tribal Epidemiology Centers and Indian Health Centers to support research in Tribal communities. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill increases research and health literacy efforts specifically targeting minority populations. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill increases research and health literacy efforts specifically targeting minority populations. Would students be better off under this? — The bill creates scholarship and loan repayment opportunities for students pursuing medical education. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill provides increased health resources and specialized care research that benefits underserved populations.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into medical research? — The legislation directs the NIH and other agencies to expand and intensify research into rare diseases disproportionately affecting minority populations. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill expands research, training, and telehealth capabilities to better treat rare diseases in underserved populations.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill specifically targets research, data collection, and health literacy to address health inequities in minority and Tribal communities.
- Education And Technology
- Does this reduce what student borrowers owe or repay? — The bill establishes a loan repayment program providing up to $50,000 annually for health professionals serving specific populations.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill provides financial incentives through loan repayment and scholarships to encourage health professionals to enter specific medical fields.
- 9/2/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/29/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/26/2025
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 2/27/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Natural Resources, 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.
Yvette ClarkeDemocrat · New York
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Terri SewellDemocrat · Alabama
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan