EMPOWER for Health Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (28 Jul 2026): Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 529.
What this bill does
The EMPOWER for Health Act would reauthorize and update a group of federal health workforce programs under Title VII of the Public Health Service Act, which support the training and distribution of health professionals such as physicians, nurses, and dentists. As reported by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, the bill extends funding authorizations for these programs, generally through fiscal year 2031, and adjusts several authorized funding levels for programs including health professions training grants, area health education centers, and health workforce analysis centers.
The bill also revises a program supporting the pediatric health care workforce by expanding eligibility to health professionals serving underserved pediatric populations (not just underserved areas), broadening covered mental and behavioral health disciplines, establishing minimum clinical-service requirements, and creating new provisions on contract breach and termination. It extends the age range covered by career-exposure activities at area health education centers to include middle school students, and adds provisions encouraging at least one grant for nursing workforce data analysis and technical assistance. These changes primarily affect health professions students, trainees, educational institutions, and grant recipients participating in Title VII programs, as well as underserved communities these programs are meant to serve.
The bill was introduced in March 2026 by Senator Reed, with Senator Murkowski as a cosponsor, and referred to the Senate HELP Committee. On July 22, 2026, the committee voted to report the bill favorably with an amendment in the nature of a substitute, replacing the original text with the revised version summarized here. The bill has been placed on the Senate’s legislative calendar and would next require consideration by the full Senate before any further action in the House.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Educating Medical Professionals and Optimizing Workforce Efficiency and Readiness for Health Act or the EMPOWER for Health Act
This bill reauthorizes through FY2031 and revises a range of programs that provide funding and other resources to support recruiting, training, and retaining individuals to work or teach in the health professions. These programs are administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
For instance, the bill revises an educational loan repayment program for certain pediatric health specialists that agree to practice in areas with shortages of such specialists. The bill (1) requires direct clinical care to comprise at least half of the required service hours, (2) broadens the eligible specialties to include any pediatric mental or behavioral health discipline HRSA determines appropriate, and (3) specifically authorizes focusing care on children enrolled in Medicaid.
Also, the bill specifically authorizes grants to entities such as states and health professions schools for supporting the nursing workforce by providing analysis, technical assistance, and best practices for alleviating nursing workforce shortages.
Finally, the bill expands grants for recruiting youth into public health careers to include outreach to middle school students (current law only includes outreach to high school students).
Timeline
28 Jul 2026
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 529.
Common questions
- What does S. 4110 do?
- The EMPOWER for Health Act would reauthorize and update a group of federal health workforce programs under Title VII of the Public Health Service Act, which support the training and distribution of health professionals such as physicians, nurses, and dentists. As reported by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, the bill extends funding authorizations for these programs, generally through fiscal year 2031, and adjusts several authorized funding levels for programs including health professions training grants, area health education centers, and health workforce analysis centers. The bill also revises a program supporting the pediatric health care workforce by expanding eligibility to health professionals serving underserved pediatric populations (not just underserved areas), broadening covered mental and behavioral health disciplines, establishing minimum clinical-service requirements, and creating new provisions on contract breach and termination. It extends the age range covered by career-exposure activities at area health education centers to include middle school students, and adds provisions encouraging at least one grant for nursing workforce data analysis and technical assistance. These changes primarily affect health professions students, trainees, educational institutions, and grant recipients participating in Title VII programs, as well as underserved communities these programs are meant to serve. The bill was introduced in March 2026 by Senator Reed, with Senator Murkowski as a cosponsor, and referred to the Senate HELP Committee. On July 22, 2026, the committee voted to report the bill favorably with an amendment in the nature of a substitute, replacing the original text with the revised version summarized here. The bill has been placed on the Senate’s legislative calendar and would next require consideration by the full Senate before any further action in the House.
- Has S. 4110 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 4110. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 4110?
- S. 4110 was sponsored by Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI] (D-RI), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on S. 4110?
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 529. (28 Jul 2026).
Related bills in Health
Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2026
Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Reauthorization Act of 2026
Lower Premiums, Faster Payments Act
340B Rebate Model Delay Act
More bills from Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
A resolution expressing support for designation of the week of September 13 through 19, 2026, as "National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week".
Insider Trading Prohibition Act
Bus Operator Safety and Security Act
A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency relating to "Preemption Determination: State Interest-on-Escrow Laws".
Bill100 mirrors the public U.S. legislative record from Congress.gov and GovTrack and adds plain-English AI summaries. It is an information tool, not legal, compliance or lobbying advice, and it is not affiliated with the U.S. Congress or any government agency. AI summaries can simplify or omit detail — every bill links to the official source; verify there before you rely on it.