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119-hr-6977119th CongressWALLET

Better Care for PFAS Patients Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3]

Introduced

Summary

Federally coordinated clinical guidance on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) health effects. It would require the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to assess PFAS health effects, issue initial clinical recommendations within 2 years, and update guidance at least every 5 years while posting and disseminating that guidance to state and local public health authorities and health care professionals.

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  • Families: PFAS-exposed families would get clearer clinical recommendations on testing and follow-up based on regular scientific assessments.
  • Health care professionals: Clinicians would have ATSDR-posted, evidence-based recommendations to help identify PFAS-linked health effects and guide patient care.
  • State and local public health agencies: Officials would receive consistent guidance to inform local surveillance and community health responses.
  • PFAS-exposed communities: The contracting entity must solicit input from affected communities about exposure, testing, and clinical follow-up to shape recommendations.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Clinical guidance for PFAS exposure

If enacted, the bill would require the Director of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to enter into an agreement with the National Academies or a similar group within 60 days of enactment. The contracted group would assess PFAS health effects measurable in people and must finish an initial assessment and recommendations within 2 years after the agreement. The Director would issue up-to-date clinical guidance and post it on ATSDR's public website and share it with State and local public health authorities and appropriate health care professionals not later than 5 years after the agreement. The assessments and guidance would be updated at least every 5 years or more often if needed, and the contracted group would engage PFAS-exposed communities to get input about testing, exposure, and clinical follow-up.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3]

OR • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 1/8/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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