A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
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
This legislation is known as the Community Health Worker Access Act. It amends titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to increase access to community health workers. The bill provides Medicare Part B coverage for community health services starting on January 1, 2027. It also gives states a Medicaid option to support the community health workforce through state plan amendments. Additionally, the bill outlines specific requirements for community health agencies and services.
Yes· 3 of 31
- Scored +7
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
The bill adds Medicare Part B coverage for community health services, waives the deductible, and covers 100 percent of approved costs.
- Scored +7
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The legislation provides targeted support for low-income populations through Medicaid enhancements and addressing social determinants of health.
- Scored +7
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The legislation increases access to preventive care and social determinants of health services through Medicare and Medicaid options.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2 allows for Medicare Part B coverage of community health services furnished by a community health agency starting on January 1, 2027. This could benefit individuals by providing coverage for preventive services and services addressing social determinants of health.
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Section 2 waives the application of the Medicare deductible with respect to community health services. This could make it easier and more affordable for individuals to access these specific health services without paying an upfront deductible.
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Section 3 provides an increased Federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) by 6 percentage points for States that choose to provide medical assistance for preventive services and services to address social determinants of health furnished by a community health worker, promotora, or community health representative. This could encourage states to expand these supportive health services for individuals.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The provided text does not explicitly outline any negative consequences, burdens, or negative impacts for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
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 households on low incomes be better off under this? — The legislation provides targeted support for low-income populations through Medicaid enhancements and addressing social determinants of health. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill adds Medicare Part B coverage for community health services, waives the deductible, and covers 100 percent of approved costs. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The legislation promotes culturally specific health education and outreach that helps narrow racial disparities in healthcare. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill explicitly recognizes promotoras working primarily in Spanish-speaking communities to improve health outcomes. Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill supports in-language and culturally appropriate health education, benefiting immigrant communities. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill specifically incorporates urban Indian organizations and community health representatives to serve tribal communities. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill includes case management and linkage to assistive technology and home modifications for people with disabilities. Would retired people be better off under this? — Retirees on Medicare gain access to community health services with 100 percent payment rates and no deductible. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Rural health clinics and rural communities receive targeted support for increasing access to preventive health and social services. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — The bill supports in-language and culturally specific support services for diverse populations. Would children be better off under this? — Expanded access to preventive care and social support services benefits children and families. Would women be better off under this? — Community health workers often provide home visiting and maternal and child health support that benefits women and families. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Middle-aged individuals benefit from chronic condition management and preventive health services. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Urban community-based and nonprofit organizations can participate as community health agencies to serve city residents. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Veterans living in underserved communities can benefit from enhanced access to preventive care and social support linkages. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Young adults benefit from expanded community-based health and social support services. Would farmers be better off under this? — Rural health clinics are included in community health agency provisions, helping farmers and rural residents access care. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Middle-class individuals enrolled in Medicare benefit from access to covered community health services without deductibles. Would students be better off under this? — Students and academic institutions involved in community health can benefit from expanded training and workforce development programs.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The legislation increases access to preventive care and social determinants of health services through Medicare and Medicaid options. Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes? — The bill provides an increased Federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) by 6 percentage points for states supporting the community health workforce. Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65? — The bill expands Medicare Part B coverage to include community health services with no deductible and 100 percent payment rates. Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths? — Community health services under the bill include behavioral health conditions support and care coordination for chronic illnesses. Does this help veterans get medical care? — Tribal and community health services improve healthcare access for vulnerable and underserved populations, including veterans.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill emphasizes culturally specific and in-language support services delivered by trusted members who share lived experiences with underserved communities. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Community health workers provide case management and linkage to resources to alleviate financial strain, housing, and food insecurity.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill creates employment and professional opportunities for community health workers and community health agencies. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill supports community-based and nonprofit organizations, including rural health clinics, participating as community health agencies. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Investing in preventive health services and social determinants of health can improve overall workforce productivity and health.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — Rural health clinics and tribal organizations are explicitly included as eligible entities to provide community health services.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill provides states with an optional Medicaid state plan amendment to support the community health workforce.
- 9/17/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 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.