H.R. 7417: Women’s Heart Health Expansion Act of 2026

This bill, titled the Women’s Heart Health Expansion Act of 2026, aims to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize and enhance the WISEWOMAN program. The WISEWOMAN program focuses on providing preventive health services for women, particularly regarding heart health. Here’s a breakdown of what the bill proposes:

Reauthorization of the WISEWOMAN Program

The bill proposes to continue supporting the WISEWOMAN program by enabling the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to award supplemental grants. These grants would allow current recipients of other relevant health grants to undertake projects that provide additional preventive health services.

Preventive Health Services

The supplemental grants can be used for several purposes, including:

• Providing preventive health screenings: This includes tests for blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
• Offering health education: Informing women about health risks and preventive measures.
• Ensuring referrals for medical treatment: Making sure that women who receive screenings are referred for appropriate medical care and that follow-up services are provided as needed.
• Evaluating program effectiveness: Monitoring and assessing the activities within the program to determine their impact and success.

Eligibility for Services

The bill specifies the groups of women eligible for the services provided under this program:

• Women who are currently receiving services through another related grant (specifically Section 1501 of the Public Health Service Act).
• Other low-income women who meet specific eligibility criteria set by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Authorized Providers

Services funded by the grants may be provided by:

• Entities already screening women for breast and cervical cancer as part of Section 1501.
• Other health providers designated by the grant recipients, subject to approval from the Secretary.

Funding Provisions

To support these initiatives, the bill authorizes the appropriation of $250 million for the fiscal years 2027 through 2031. This funding is intended to ensure that the WISEWOMAN program can effectively expand and enhance the range of services offered to women, particularly in the area of heart health.

Relevant Companies

• None found