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HR 9488 United States House · 119th Congress

Health Disparity Zones Act of 2026

The Health Disparity Zones Act of 2026 creates a program to designate specific geographic areas with high poverty, low life expectancy, and poor health outcomes as Health Disparity Zones. Once designated, these zones become eligible for a ten-year period of financial support, including a 10% increase in Medicare payments for services provided there, grants for community organizations, and tax credits for hiring local healthcare workers. The bill also establishes a student loan repayment program to encourage healthcare practitioners to work in these areas and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to report annually on the program's progress and effectiveness.
Issues: ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases Medicare payments, provides grants, and offers tax credits for hiring healthcare workers in designated zones.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill includes a student loan repayment program for residents of designated health disparity zones, enhancing educational access and financial support for students in high-need areas.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill designates high-need areas for funding, increases Medicare payments, and offers grants and tax credits to improve healthcare access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill includes tax credits for hiring local healthcare workers and student loan repayment, directly supporting employment and workforce development in designated zones.75% confidence
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jun 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Jun 25, 2026 Last action Jun 25, 2026
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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
2
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Jun 25, 2026
Committee
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.
lower
Jun 25, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Shri Thanedar
Shri Thanedar
DDemocratic
MI
13