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RuleLabor DepartmentFederal Contract Compliance Programs OfficeSignificant Wallet
119-hr-7779119th CongressWALLET
HEALTHY BRAINS Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create a federal program to study environmental risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases. It would fund research, training, public education, and new research centers focused on how toxicants and environmental stressors contribute to disease.
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- Families, patients, and caregivers would get clearer public information and prevention guidance through a national clearinghouse and education programs. These activities aim to help communities understand environmental contributions to disease and highlight presymptomatic markers and prevention strategies.
- Researchers and institutions would gain dedicated support through Collaborative Centers for Neurodegenerative Disease Environmental Research based at universities, medical centers, or consortia. Each center may receive up to five years of support with the possibility of renewal and must conduct basic, clinical, and population-based research and build nationwide data resources.
- Health professionals and federal agencies would see new training, continuing education, and coordination requirements. The program mandates biennial reports to Congress and coordination across the Department of Health and Human Services to avoid duplication.
*Authorizes $50.0 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out the program.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
New $50 million yearly research fund
If enacted, the bill would authorize $50 million for each fiscal year 2027 through 2031 to carry out a new Neurodegenerative Disease Environmental Research program. The Department of Health and Human Services would be able to use this funding to support Collaborative Centers, research, training, and public information on environmental risk factors. Congress would still need to appropriate the money before it is spent.
Centers to study environmental brain risks
If enacted, the bill would require HHS to establish Collaborative Centers for Neurodegenerative Disease Environmental Research at universities, medical centers, and other entities. The centers would study environmental toxicants such as volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, PFAS, and heavy metals, plus mechanisms, presymptomatic markers, prevention strategies, and social and occupational factors. Centers could offer training, stipends, continuing education for health professionals, public education, a nationwide data system, and an information clearinghouse. The program would be coordinated across HHS and would post biennial reports to Congress and the public.
Five-year limit on center funding
If enacted, the bill would limit initial federal support for each Collaborative Center to no more than five years. The Secretary could extend support for additional five-year periods only if a technical and scientific peer review group reviews operations and recommends extension. This would make multi-period funding dependent on a favorable peer review and could shorten funding continuity for some centers.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10]
VA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37]
TX • D
Sponsored 10/5/2026
Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16]
FL • R
Sponsored 10/5/2026
Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]
FL • R
Sponsored 3/3/2026
Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8]
FL • R
Sponsored 4/15/2026
Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3]
NM • D
Sponsored 4/15/2026
Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
VA • R
Sponsored 4/20/2026
Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/20/2026
Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]
NE • R
Sponsored 4/27/2026
Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]
NY • D
Sponsored 4/27/2026
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
PA • R
Sponsored 4/28/2026
Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
OR • D
Sponsored 4/28/2026
Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1]
WA • D
Sponsored 4/28/2026
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Sponsored 4/30/2026
Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]
VA • D
Sponsored 5/13/2026
Rep. LaHood, Darin [R-IL-16]
IL • R
Sponsored 9/14/2026
Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]
IL • D
Sponsored 9/14/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov