PHS ACCESS Act
Sponsored By: Senator Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced
Summary
Expands deployment of Public Health Service Commissioned Corps officers to underserved areas, with a special focus on Urban Indian organizations. This bill would authorize detailing officers to Urban Indian organizations and require objective, transparent criteria for granting constructive credit for length of service while increasing the Secretary's discretion over those credits.
Show full summary
- Urban Indian organizations and tribal health providers would be able to receive detailed Commissioned Corps personnel to support Department of Health and Human Services functions in their communities.
- Commissioned Corps officers appointed under the new authority could receive constructive credit for length of service based on measurable criteria that favor rural or remote posts, shortage specialties, areas with access challenges, or service with tribes and Urban Indian organizations.
- The Secretary would have explicit discretion to grant credit but must develop and periodically update objective, transparent criteria and consider federal designation systems and workforce assessments when doing so.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Secretary discretion on service credit
If enacted, the Secretary would be able to decide whether service by persons appointed under subsection (a) counts as constructive length of service. The Secretary would have to create objective, transparent criteria to guide those decisions. The criteria would give preference to appointees who serve in rural or remote statutorily required areas, specialists in shortage fields, areas with big access challenges, or service with tribes or Urban Indian organizations. The criteria would have to consider federal designation systems and be reviewed and updated periodically. This change would take effect upon enactment.
Public health officers for Urban Indian groups
If enacted, the Secretary of Health and Human Services would be able to detail Public Health Service Commissioned Corps officers to Urban Indian organizations. Those officers would help carry out HHS functions and work with those organizations. The change would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
AK • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
CT • D
Sponsored 4/28/2026
Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
NC • R
Sponsored 4/28/2026
Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
NV • D
Sponsored 4/28/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov