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119-hr-8629119th CongressWALLET

Developing the Community Health Workforce Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25]

Introduced

Summary

Expand the health center workforce in rural and underserved communities. This bill would create loan-repayment and career-pipeline programs, boost residency training at teaching health centers, and add Medicare and Medicaid coverage for behavioral health and case management at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).

Show full summary
  • Families: More access to mental health and case management at FQHCs through Medicare and Medicaid, which could make it easier to get integrated care near home.
  • Health professionals and workers: Creates a health center loan repayment program to pay down student debt and funds a Community Health Center Workforce Pipeline for recruitment, apprenticeships, and stipends for behavioral health specialists. FQHCs could register as apprenticeship programs within 180 days.
  • Rural hospitals and training programs: Expands Graduate Medical Education through Teaching Health Centers with covered residency agreements of at least 2 years. Certain hospitals would get 3 additional full‑time equivalent residency slots for cost periods starting on or after October 1, 2025. It also requires a study and annual guidance on Medicaid payment adjustments for FQHCs due October 1, 2025.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More behavioral and case management

If enacted, Medicare would cover services at Federally Qualified Health Centers furnished by behavioral health consultants, peer support specialists, and by a defined case manager for services on or after October 1, 2025. If enacted, Medicaid would also cover case management services furnished on or after October 1, 2025 by a defined case manager. The Secretary would study how States adjust Medicaid payment amounts for FQHC services and issue guidance by October 1, 2025 and at least once a year after that.

More training and loan help

If enacted, HHS would award grants to Federally Qualified Health Centers to repay clinicians' student loans and to hire and train staff. Grant applications would need plans showing regional workforce needs, loan-repayment plans, and use of interdisciplinary care teams. The Secretary would be able to fund behavioral health training, stipends, apprenticeships, and partnerships with community colleges and minority-serving institutions. The Labor Department would change rules so health centers can register as apprenticeship programs within 180 days of enactment. The Secretary would also give Corps assignment priority to FQHCs and rural health clinics.

More residency slots at centers

If enacted, hospitals with residency programs that train a significant portion at a health center would get 3 extra Medicare residency slots for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2025. If enacted, Teaching Health Center payments would also apply to programs that have a written 'covered agreement' of at least two years. These changes would apply to expenses or cost reporting periods on or after October 1, 2025.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25]

CA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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