H.R. 4515: Climate Change Health Protection and Promotion Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Climate Change Health Protection and Promotion Act of 2025, aims to enhance the role of the health care sector in addressing the impacts of climate change on public health. The bill seeks to establish the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and outlines its purpose, duties, and responsibilities.

Key Components of the Bill

1. Establishment of the Office

The bill creates the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity to coordinate federal efforts related to climate change and public health. The office will be led by a director who reports to the Secretary of HHS.

2. Responsibilities and Activities

The Office has several key responsibilities, which include:

• Assessing how climate change affects the health of individuals in the U.S.
• Identifying health needs of populations most affected by climate change, including environmentally marginalized groups.
• Serving as a reliable source of information about the health impacts of climate change.
• Tracking data on environmental conditions and related health risks.
• Developing preparedness plans for health threats exacerbated by climate change, such as extreme weather and infectious diseases.
• Taking action to reduce the health sector’s greenhouse gas emissions.
• Promoting workforce development in public health to address climate threats.

3. National Strategic Action Plan

Within one year of the bill’s enactment, the Secretary of HHS is required to develop a national strategic action plan. This plan will outline strategies for improving the health sector's readiness in addressing climate change impacts. Key elements of the plan include:

• Identifying communities at greater risk from climate-related health threats.
• Addressing disparities in health exacerbated by climate impacts.
• Enhancing public health infrastructure to respond to climate emergencies.
• Establishing disease surveillance systems that account for climate-related health effects.

4. Periodic Assessment and Revision

The national strategic action plan must be assessed and updated at least once a year to incorporate new data and developments in climate-related health impacts.

5. Advisory Board

The bill provides for the establishment of a science advisory board composed of public health experts. This board will advise the Secretary on the impacts of climate change on health and support the development of the national strategic action plan.

6. Reports and Accountability

The Secretary is tasked with preparing periodic reports on the health impacts of climate change, assessing existing public health programs, and providing recommendations for improvements. Reports will be submitted to Congress and made publicly available.

7. Funding Provisions

The bill authorizes funding for the establishment of the office, development of the action plan, and operation of the advisory board, allocating specific amounts for fiscal years 2026 through 2031.

Relevant Companies

• UNP (Union Pacific Corporation): As a major transportation company, Union Pacific's operations may be impacted by climate policies targeting greenhouse gas emissions.
• CSCO (Cisco Systems, Inc.): Cisco's health technology solutions may see demand increase as health sectors adapt to climate impacts.
• ABT (Abbott Laboratories): Abbott's health care products may be in higher demand as public health systems seek to address climate-related health threats.