S 3944 — Women’s Heart Health Expansion Act of 2026

Summary

Women’s Heart Health Expansion Act of 2026This bill reauthorizes through FY2031 and expands a grant program that supports preventive health services (e.g., screenings, referrals) regarding women’s cardiovascular health. This program is known as the Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation of Women Across the Nation (WISEWOMAN) program, which is administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Under current law, only three states may receive a WISEWOMAN grant, and health care providers and recipients of services must participate in the CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program in order to qualify under the WISEWOMAN program. The bill revises the WISEWOMAN program by (1) removing the three-state limitation, (2) allowing providers to participate even if not providing services under the other CDC program (as determined by the CDC), and (3) allowing participation of high-risk women who are not eligible under the other CDC program (based on CDC criteria). Additionally, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to report to Congress on the work of the WISEWOMAN program.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html February 26, 2026

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill reauthorizes and amends the WISEWOMAN program to expand preventive health services for women's heart health.

• 42 U.S.C. 300n-4a

  Section 1509 of the Public Health Service Act is amended to read as follows: → SEC. 1509. SUPPLEMENTAL GRANTS FOR ADDITIONAL PREVENTIVE HEALTH SERVICES.

  This change renames Section 1509 to focus on supplemental grants for preventive health services.

• 42 U.S.C. 300n-4a

  (a) Screening and Referral Projects.--The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, may award supplemental grants to recipients of grants under section 1501 to carry out projects for the purposes of--

  This addition establishes a new section outlining the authority to award supplemental grants for preventive health services.

• 42 U.S.C. 300n-4a

  (1) providing preventive health services in addition to the services authorized in such section, including--

  This new provision expands the scope of services eligible for funding by including additional preventive health services.

• 42 U.S.C. 300n-4a

  (A) screenings regarding blood pressure, cholesterol, obesity, and other relevant risk factors;

  This addition specifies the types of screenings that can be funded, emphasizing cardiovascular health.

• 42 U.S.C. 300n-4a

  (B) evidence-based health education offered by a qualified provider to improve a measurable health outcome, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, or obesity;

  This introduces a focus on educational services to improve health outcomes.

• 42 U.S.C. 300n-4a

  (2) providing appropriate referrals for medical treatment of women receiving services pursuant to paragraph (1) and ensuring, to the extent practicable, the provision of appropriate follow-up services;

  This provision emphasizes the importance of referrals and follow-up services in the healthcare process.

• 42 U.S.C. 300n-4a

  (3) evaluating activities conducted under paragraphs (1) and (2) through appropriate surveillance or program-monitoring activities and reporting to the Secretary on such activities.

  This addition establishes evaluation and reporting requirements for the funded projects.

• 42 U.S.C. 300n-4a

  (b) Eligibility for Services.--Women eligible for services pursuant to a grant under subsection (a) shall include--

  This section defines the eligibility criteria for women to access the new services.

• 42 U.S.C. 300n-4a

  (1) women eligible for services pursuant to a grant made under section 1501; and

  This expands eligibility to include women already covered under existing health grants.

• 42 U.S.C. 300n-4a

  (2) other women who are high-risk and meet such eligibility criteria as the Secretary may specify.

  This expands eligibility to high-risk women as determined by the Secretary.

• 42 U.S.C. 300n-4a

  (c) Authorized Providers.--Health services provided pursuant to a grant under subsection (a) shall be provided by--

  This section specifies who can provide the health services funded under the new grants.

• 42 U.S.C. 300n-4a

  (1) an entity screening women for breast and cervical cancer pursuant to a grant under section 1501; or

  This allows entities already screening women for specific cancers to also provide funded services.

• 42 U.S.C. 300n-4a

  (2) other health care entities, as the Secretary determines.

  This provides flexibility in determining who can provide health services.

• 42 U.S.C. 300n-4a

  (d) Funding.--To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $250,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

  This establishes a new funding authorization for the program to support its expansion.

Action History

1. February 26, 2026

   Introduced in Senate

2. February 26, 2026

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

3. March 19, 2026

   Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held.

Sponsors

• Katie Boyd Britt · Cosponsor
• Angela D. Alsobrooks · Primary

Subjects