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119-hr-10616119th CongressWALLET

Public Access to HHS Health Data Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Bentz, Cliff [R-OR-2]

Introduced

Summary

Creates a single, public, machine‑readable repository of HHS data. This bill would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to post all publicly available HHS data sets on a searchable website, make them free and machine‑readable, include metadata, and provide standardized APIs and bulk download options within one year of enactment.

Show full summary
  • Researchers and developers would get easier access to HHS data through machine‑readable files, standardized application programming interfaces, and bulk download options, all available at no cost.
  • Journalists, patients, and the public would be able to search, sort, and download datasets online, improving transparency and reuse of federal health data.
  • Public health officials and policymakers would receive a report to Congress not later than 2 years after enactment and annually thereafter that lists available data sets, update frequency, and constraints on publishing more data.
  • HHS operations would have to publish associated metadata, update the website regularly, and identify privacy, legal, technical, or resource barriers that limit dataset publication.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More health data for researchers, businesses

If enacted, the bill would require HHS to publish all publicly available HHS data sets on opendata.hhs.gov (or a successor site) within 1 year. Data sets would have to be machine-readable under 44 U.S.C. § 3502, include metadata, and be free for unrestricted access, automated processing, and bulk download. The website would need searchable tools and standardized APIs for machine-to-machine and query-based access, and it would be updated regularly. Not later than 2 years after enactment, and annually after, the Secretary would report to Congress on the number and types of data sets, update frequency, and any legal, technical, operational, financial, or administrative constraints (including privacy, confidentiality, security, data quality, interoperability, interagency governance, or resource limits).

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Bentz, Cliff [R-OR-2]

OR • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 10/1/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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