H.R. 10798: Silicosis Prevention and Treatment Act

This bill would create a federal grant program to help people with silicosis, a lung disease caused by breathing in silica dust. The Department of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration, would give competitive grants to certain health providers to:

• treat people with silicosis, even if they cannot pay;
• educate workers in jobs with high silica exposure about the disease;
• provide screening and diagnosis;
• offer treatment and follow-up care;
• help patients and families understand benefits and compensation options;
• coordinate care and referrals;
• provide pulmonary rehabilitation to help people breathe better.

The types of organizations that could apply for grants include federally qualified health centers, hospitals, state or local health departments, and nonprofit health clinics or providers.

The bill also allows the grants to be used for outreach and education, patient and worker education programs, and other related activities that the Secretary of Health and Human Services considers appropriate.

The bill defines State broadly to include states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories and possessions, and Indian tribes.

It authorizes $10 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to fund the program.

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