Bill > S2927

This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to create a new grant program aimed at supporting mobile cancer screening units in rural and underserved communities. The bill authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to award up to $2 million in grants to eligible entities such as nonprofit hospitals, federally-qualified health centers, academic health centers, and health systems. These grants can be used to purchase vehicles, acquire imaging technology, and cover startup costs for mobile cancer screening units. The bill prioritizes applications that have the highest potential to impact patient mortality, serve underserved populations (including rural areas and Indian Health Service regions), and provide comprehensive follow-up care. Grant recipients must contribute matching funds, with at least one dollar from non-federal sources for every three dollars received. The legislation is motivated by alarming cancer statistics, including 2 million annual cancer diagnoses and low screening rates, particularly for lung cancer. The bill requires a comprehensive report to Congress after four years, detailing patient screening data, program impact, and recommendations for improvement, and authorizes $15 million in funding annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to support the program.

Health and Social Services

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2927/all-info