Sponsor
John B. Larson
Representative · D-CT
Representative · D-CT
Official title: To guarantee that grants are made under the health profession opportunity grant program under section 2008 of the Social Security Act to grantees in each State that is not a territory, and for other purposes.
Introduced September 16, 2025 by John B. Larson · Last progress September 16, 2025
The bill increases geographic equity and transparency in awarding demonstration grants—giving more states and local health systems access and clearer reporting—at the cost of higher potential federal spending, the risk of funding lower-quality projects, and added administrative burden.
State governments will gain increased access to demonstration grants because the Secretary must award at least two grants per State when qualifying applications exist, expanding opportunities across all states.
Local health systems and eligible entities (e.g., hospitals, local public health bodies) may receive more predictable and geographically distributed funding opportunities because of the geographic minimum grant guarantee.
Congress and the public will have improved transparency into the grant program because HHS must report periodically on application and approval counts and allocations in States with low applicant numbers.
Taxpayers could face higher federal spending or reallocation of funds because grants must be spread to meet the two-per-State minimum even where fewer high-quality applicants exist.
State governments and local providers may receive smaller or lower-quality proposals that are funded primarily to satisfy the per-State minimum, potentially reducing the overall effectiveness of the demonstration program.
Federal employees (HHS staff) and related program offices may face increased administrative burden to compile and submit new periodic reports to Congress, diverting staff time from oversight or implementation.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Requires at least two demonstration grants per State per cycle when enough applicants exist and mandates periodic congressional reporting on applications and awards.
Requires the federal health grant program in 42 U.S.C. §1397g to award at least two demonstration grants per grant cycle to eligible entities in each State (excluding U.S. territories) when that many qualifying applications exist, and to notify Congress if fewer than two eligible applicants apply in a State. It also requires periodic reports to the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee on application and award counts and explanations for States with fewer than two eligible applicants. The statutory changes take effect October 1, 2025.