H.R. 10274: Partnerships for Better Health Act

This bill would create a federal grant program called Community Health Partnership Grants to support local efforts that combine health care, nutrition, and social support for people in communities with high rates of chronic disease.

What the program does

The Secretary of Health and Human Services, working with the Secretary of Agriculture, would set up a grant program that awards money to a lead eligible entity working with a local coalition. These grants would fund services aimed at preventing and managing chronic diseases, while also addressing nutrition and related social needs.

Who can apply

The lead applicant would have to be a nonprofit or public entity with experience serving underserved or high-risk populations and the ability to manage federal funds. Eligible lead entities include:

• Federally qualified health centers
• Community health centers
• Nonprofit hospitals or health systems
• Nonprofit organizations with health expertise
• Food banks
• Nonprofit organizations with nutrition expertise

The applicant would also need formal partnership agreements with at least one coalition partner.

Which communities get priority

When deciding who gets grants, the federal government would give priority to communities with:

• High chronic disease rates
• High food insecurity
• A shortage of health professionals
• Medically underserved status
• Rural location
• Persistent poverty

What grant money could be used for

Grant funds could support a range of activities, including:

• Care coordination across medical, nutrition, and social services
• Community health workers or patient navigators
• Referral systems between participating programs
• Transportation services
• Nutrition education and chronic disease self-management support
• Peer support, group education, and culturally appropriate educational materials
• Starting or expanding a Food Is Medicine program, meaning medically appropriate food and nutrition support prescribed or referred by a health care provider
• Upgrading data systems and tracking outcomes
• Outreach, enrollment, and community trust-building

Program requirements

Grantees would have to use evidence-based or evidence-informed methods. They would need to serve people with family income at or below 200% of the federal poverty line, or otherwise medically underserved populations. Coalition members would have to keep their partnership agreements in place during the grant period and participate in federal evaluations.

The bill says these federal funds would supplement, not replace, existing non-federal funding.

How long grants last and how they are reviewed

Grants could last up to 3 years and could be renewed for 2 additional years based on performance.

Starting no later than 6 months after receiving a grant, and then every year after that, grantees would have to report to the federal government on:

• Who participated in the program
• What services were provided
• What challenges and lessons emerged
• Results related to health, access, and service use

The bill specifically calls for reporting on measures such as HbA1c levels, blood pressure, weight or BMI, food security, continuity of care, engagement in programs, dietary habits, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations related to chronic disease.

Funding

The bill authorizes $15 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

Relevant Companies

• None found