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Introduced February 11, 2026 by Josh Harder · Last progress February 11, 2026
The bill directs federal incentives and multi‑year investments to increase health care access in high‑need communities and recruit providers, but it concentrates resources through competitive designations, raises federal costs, and creates administrative and implementation uncertainties that may limit reach and fiscal sustainability.
Low-income, rural, and other underserved residents in designated Health Investment Zones gain expanded access to primary, behavioral, dental, and chronic-care services through targeted grants, mobile clinics, transportation support, and up to 10 years of zone-specific support.
Health care workforce capacity in zones increases because employers get immediate hiring tax incentives and clinicians can receive loans/loan-payments tied to zone service, improving recruitment and retention of providers where need is highest.
Local clinics, community health centers, and hospitals can upgrade facilities and equipment—via subgrants (up to $5 million or 50% of capital/equipment costs), internships, and other capacity-building funds—improving local service capacity and workforce pathways.
All taxpayers face higher federal costs because the bill authorizes grants, employer tax credits, Medicare payment add‑ons, and loan‑repayment payments (potentially up to $100,000 per clinician), increasing budgetary pressure unless offsets are provided.
People and communities not selected as Health Investment Zones risk being left behind because competitive designation and limited zones concentrate resources unevenly, potentially deepening geographic inequities.
Smaller community groups, solo practitioners, and less-resourced applicants may be excluded or overwhelmed by coalition, application, documentation, certification, and sustainability requirements, concentrating benefits among better-resourced organizations.
Based on analysis of 9 sections of legislative text.
Creates a federal program to designate ‘‘Health Investment Zones’’ (HIZs) in areas with documented health disparities and then use grants, tax incentives, Medicare add‑on payments, and a student loan repayment program to attract and retain health care practitioners and expand services in those zones. HHS must solicit applications, approve eligible coalitions (community nonprofits or local governments plus health partners), and oversee grants and reporting; tax credits, a Work Opportunity Tax Credit expansion, and Medicare Part B add‑ons apply to services and workers in designated zones. The law funds activities that increase local provider capacity (including mobile clinics, language access, transportation, equipment, and facility improvements), offers up to $10,000/year ($100,000 max) in loan repayment per practitioner, creates wage-related tax incentives, and adds layered Medicare Part B payment bonuses for services delivered in HIZs. Designations are time‑limited (expire 10 years after the first zone is designated) and HHS must report to Congress on outcomes after that period.