H.R. 9962: Green New Deal for Health Act

This bill would create a set of federal programs focused on the health effects of climate change and on making the health care system more resilient to climate-related risks. It would establish a federal climate-and-health office and require an action plan, along with advisory and reporting bodies to help coordinate federal work on climate and health.

Federal climate-and-health coordination

The bill would create a national framework for studying and responding to how climate change affects health. It would set up a climate-and-health research initiative that runs through 2036, overseen by an interagency committee and an advisory council. The initiative would fund research, innovation, and health care system changes aimed at reducing climate-related health harms. The bill authorizes $5 billion per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2036 for this purpose.

Health care system resilience and access

The bill would direct federal funding for health care grants to prioritize facilities and planning that are prepared for climate-related risks, such as extreme weather and other disruptions. At least 50% of certain funds would go to environmental justice communities. It would also protect access to hospital services during closures, helping maintain care when a facility is shutting down or relocating. In addition, it would add Medicare coverage for home resiliency services, which are services intended to make homes safer and better able to withstand climate-related hazards.

Environmental justice and community health

The bill would increase support for environmental justice community health centers and other health programs serving climate-vulnerable populations. It defines climate-vulnerable groups and would use that framework to target certain grants and programs. The legislation also boosts training and workforce expansion for community health workers, and creates emergency grants for essential health workers in situations where climate-related events or disruptions affect staffing and services.

Public health, training, and research

The bill would fund studies and programs related to resilience and extreme heat. It would also create climate-health training grants for health professions schools, helping prepare future health workers to recognize and respond to climate-related health issues. It further supports a national climate-health research effort that would study the health impacts of climate change and ways to reduce them.

Federal health care and industry requirements

Within the federal health care system, the bill would create a CMS sustainability office. It would also add climate-risk disclosure requirements for drugs and medical devices, meaning manufacturers would have to provide information about how climate-related risks may affect their products. The bill would also establish a green manufacturing council, likely to coordinate efforts around more climate-resilient or environmentally sustainable production practices in the health sector.

Relevant Companies

• PFE — Pfizer could be affected by climate-risk disclosure requirements for drugs and by any changes in federal health care sustainability and research priorities.
• MRK — Merck could be affected by climate-risk disclosure rules for pharmaceutical products and broader federal health-related climate policy.
• LLY — Eli Lilly could be affected by new reporting expectations for drug manufacturers and related federal climate-health initiatives.
• JNJ — Johnson & Johnson could be affected through its pharmaceuticals and medical devices businesses, particularly under climate-risk disclosure requirements.
• MDT — Medtronic could be affected by disclosure rules for medical devices and any federal policies encouraging climate-resilient health care systems.
• ABT — Abbott could be affected by climate-risk disclosure requirements for devices and health system sustainability measures.
• TMO — Thermo Fisher Scientific could be affected if federal research funding, climate-health research, or manufacturing guidance changes demand for related products and services.