Health Subcommittee Advances Public Health Reauthorization Bills to Full Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, led a markup of several public health reauthorization bills.

"As we must do with every authorization bill that moves through this committee, it is critical that we evaluate the impacts these programs have had, and not only ensure the money is being spent as it was originally intended, but also ensure patient privacy is protected," said Chairman Griffith. "Considering each of these reauthorizations is an important step forward to ensure each program is working as intended, and we will continue to examine these programs as we move to full committee."

Legislative Vote Summary:

• H.R. 4262, To reauthorize programs related to health professions education, and for other purposes, was reported to the full committee by a voice vote.
• H.R. 3593, Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025, was reported to the full committee by a voice vote.
• H.R. 2493, Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act of 2025, was reported to the full committee by a voice vote.
• H.R. 3419, To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the telehealth network and telehealth resource centers grant programs, was reported to the full committee by a voice vote.
• H.R. 3302, Healthy Start Reauthorization Act of 2025, was reported to the full committee by a voice vote.
• H.R. 2846, To amend title II of the Public Health Service Act to include as an additional right or privilege of commissioned officers of the Public Health Service (and their beneficiaries) certain leave provided under title 10, United States Code to commissioned officers of the Army (or their beneficiaries), was reported to the full committee by a voice vote.
• H.R. 4709, Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act of 2025, was reported to the full committee by a voice vote

Watch the full markup here.

Below are key excerpts from today's markup:

Congressman Buddy Carter (GA-01) on the To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the telehealth network and telehealth resource centers grant programs: "This bill reauthorizes the telehealth network and telehealth resource centers grant programs, administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration. These programs aim to improve access to telehealth services by providing technical assistance and other support methods to providers in rural and frontier communities, so patients in these areas can more easily access necessary telehealth services. Approximately 22,000 patients across the country have benefited from these programs. We must continue these vital resources to help improve health outcomes in underserved communities."

Chairman John Joyce (PA-13) on the Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act of 2025: "The Improving Care in Rural America [Reauthorization Act] is legislation that accomplishes something that is so important for the constituents that don't have that access to screening, that don't have that access to care, and it is important that we reauthorize this. Representative Carter, in his legislation, understands that rural America is often left behind. This is a bipartisan piece of legislation that addresses that issue, that understands that we have a responsibility to all of our constituents, to all of America."