H.R. 3980: Streamline Emergency Care Act

The bill known as the Streamline Emergency Care Act proposes to establish a program for awarding grants aimed at enhancing emergency department operations. Here are the key points of the bill:

Grant Program for Emergency Departments

The bill authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to administer a grant program. This program is intended to:

• Expand, modernize, or streamline operations within emergency departments.

Eligible Entities

To qualify for these grants, the entities must meet certain criteria:

• Be a nonprofit organization.
• Currently operate an emergency department at the time of applying for the grant.

Grant Amount

The maximum grant amount awarded under this bill is set at $500,000.

Permitted Uses of Grant Funds

Funds received from the grants can be used for several purposes, including:

• Hiring and retaining staff to work in the emergency department.
• Optimizing and modernizing emergency department capacity by:
• Renovating or repurposing hospital spaces.
• Implementing new operational processes.
• Purchasing necessary equipment.
• Providing triage and other training to improve emergency department personnel capabilities, enhancing patient care and flow.

Reporting Requirements

Within three years after the enactment of the bill, the Secretary is required to submit a report to both the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. This report will evaluate the effectiveness and impacts of the grant program.

Funding Authorization

To support the initiatives proposed in this bill, a total of $20 million is authorized for appropriation for each fiscal year from 2026 to 2030.

Relevant Companies

None found.