Green New Deal for Health Act
Sponsored By: Senator Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would build a federal framework to prepare and decarbonize the U.S. health system and protect climate‑vulnerable communities. It would create new offices, a National Strategic Action Plan, new rules for hospital closures, large grants for green facilities, workforce programs, and climate‑health research.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
11 provisions identified: 9 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Medicare pays for home resilience
If enacted, Medicare would cover "home resiliency services" found medically necessary for people judged medically at risk in disasters. Coverage would start for services furnished on or after January 1, 2027. Examples include heat pumps, solar batteries for electrically powered medical equipment, and energy-efficient cold storage. Medicare would pay 100 percent of the lesser of the actual charge or a Secretary-set fee schedule for each covered item.
Hazard pay and safety grants
If enacted, the Secretary would be able to give grants to health facilities and home health agencies to pay for worker safety and hazard pay during emergencies. Hazard pay would be up to $13 per hour in addition to wages. No worker could receive more than $25,000 in hazardous pay in one year. Grants could also pay for PPE, alternative transit, and other safety measures.
Major grants to modernize medical facilities
If enacted, the bill would fund large grants to build and modernize medical facilities for climate resilience. It would authorize $100 billion for facility construction and upgrades in fiscal year 2027, to remain available until expended. It would also create planning grants (each up to $500,000) with $5 billion authorized for FY2027. Applicants must show staffing plans, follow prevailing wage rules, and have either a union contract or a non‑interference policy. At least half of planning funds must go to environmental justice communities.
More community health funding and workers
If enacted, the bill would expand community health funding and workforce programs. It would authorize $130 billion for community health over FY2027–2031 and $2 billion per year for FY2027–2031, with at least half of future funds for environmental justice communities. It would also authorize $10 billion per year from 2027–2036 to grow community health workers, and require paid positions at prevailing wages and a plan to add 150,000 workers by 2031.
National climate and health research
If enacted, the bill would create a National Climate and Health Research and Innovation Initiative run by HHS and coordinated across agencies. The initiative would get authorization of $5 billion per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2036, if Congress appropriates it. The program would support research, modeling, and innovations to prevent and treat climate-related health harms.
Community mental wellness grants
If enacted, the bill would create competitive grants for local mental wellness and resilience programs. Planning grants would be up to $100,000. Program grants could be up to $300,000 per year for up to four years. Funded programs must use public-health methods and be culturally and developmentally appropriate. The Secretary must report results to Congress by December 31, 2031.
NOAA heat grants and study
If enacted and funded, NOAA would set up a community heat resilience program within one year. The program could give grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements for heat mapping, outreach, and preparedness. It would prioritize historically disadvantaged and high-heat-risk communities. The bill also funds a National Academies study on extreme heat with $500,000 per year for 2027–2029 and authorizes $30 million per year for FY2027–2031 for the assistance program.
New CMS sustainability office
If enacted, the bill would create an Office of Sustainability and Environmental Impact inside CMS. The office would make rules, guidance, and a "Climate-Friendly" designation for health systems. It would report to Congress every two years. The bill authorizes $2 million per year for each fiscal year 2027 through 2036, if Congress appropriates it.
Rules to delay hospital closures
If enacted, applicable hospitals would generally have to notify the Secretary at least 90 days before stopping services or closing. Hospitals could not stop essential services during that notice unless safety requires it. If the Secretary finds access would be harmed, hospitals must file a mitigation plan in 15 days and the Secretary would allow public comment. The Secretary could block Medicare/Medicaid enrollment for up to three years if rules are violated.
Drug and device climate disclosures
If enacted, the bill would require a task force and rules to make drug and device makers calculate lifecycle emissions and climate risk. The Secretary would issue mandatory disclosure and labeling rules within one year of enactment. The work aims to help clinicians find lower-emission options while keeping patient safety. The bill authorizes $4 million for 2027 for this work, if appropriated.
Grant applicants must respect unions
If enacted, certain Public Health Service grant applicants would need either a collective bargaining agreement covering their employees or a written policy not to interfere with workers' rights under the National Labor Relations Act. This would be a condition of applying for those grants and would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
MA • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
MA • D
Sponsored 7/27/2026
Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
VT • I
Sponsored 7/27/2026
Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 7/27/2026
Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Sponsored 7/27/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov