S. 3598: Better Care for PFAS Patients Act of 2026

The Better Care for PFAS Patients Act of 2026 aims to improve the management and understanding of health effects caused by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Here are the key components of the bill:

Agreement with National Academies

The bill mandates the Director of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (or another suitable entity if necessary). This agreement will focus on the following:

• The assessment of health effects of PFAS that can be found in human tissues.
• Formulating clinical recommendations on how to address the health effects of these substances.
• Completing an initial assessment within two years of the agreement and updating assessments and recommendations every five years, or more frequently if deemed necessary by the Director.

Community Involvement

As part of the assessments, the National Academies or another chosen entity will engage with communities exposed to PFAS. They will seek input from these communities about their experiences with PFAS exposure, testing, and clinical follow-up to ensure recommendations reflect real-world experiences.

Issuance of Clinical Guidance

Based on the findings from the assessments, the ATSDR is required to:

• Issue updated clinical guidance for addressing health effects of PFAS within five years of the agreement.
• Post this guidance on the ATSDR’s public website.
• Disseminate the guidance to state and local public health authorities and relevant healthcare professionals.
• Continue to update this guidance every five years or more frequently based on scientific assessments.

Overall Objective

The overall goal of the bill is to create a systematic approach to evaluating the health impacts of PFAS and improving clinical practices for those affected by these substances, ensuring that health care providers and public health authorities have the most current information available.

Relevant Companies

None found