ALERT Act of 2026
Latest action (12 May 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
**S. 4499 — ALERT Act of 2026**
This bill would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the CDC, to launch a five-year program within 180 days of enactment to expand the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) so it can provide real-time infectious disease and public health surveillance in nursing homes nationwide. HHS could contract with qualifying U.S.-based entities—which must hold HITRUST r2 certification, not be electronic medical records companies, and have experience running public health surveillance networks—to build technology enabling real-time outbreak monitoring, integration with existing NHSN reporting, a central hub of epidemiologists, rapid notification to health authorities, and an optional staffed care management program for nursing facilities. Data privacy protections are required, use of the data for regulatory enforcement is generally prohibited unless separately authorized, and contracted entities must comply with HIPAA as covered entities. The bill also authorizes the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation to test models supporting adoption of this surveillance technology.
The bill primarily affects nursing homes, their residents, and federal/state public health agencies, by creating a system meant to detect and respond to outbreaks more quickly. It would also affect technology and health-data companies eligible to bid for the surveillance contracts.
At the end of the five-year program, HHS must report to Congress on the system's effectiveness, its impact on hospitalizations and outcomes, and recommendations on whether to continue or expand it. Funding would be authorized for fiscal years 2027–2031. The bill was introduced May 12, 2026, by Senator Tillis with Senator Hickenlooper, and referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee; it has not yet received committee or floor action.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on May 12, 2026. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does S. 4499 do?
- **S. 4499 — ALERT Act of 2026** This bill would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the CDC, to launch a five-year program within 180 days of enactment to expand the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) so it can provide real-time infectious disease and public health surveillance in nursing homes nationwide. HHS could contract with qualifying U.S.-based entities—which must hold HITRUST r2 certification, not be electronic medical records companies, and have experience running public health surveillance networks—to build technology enabling real-time outbreak monitoring, integration with existing NHSN reporting, a central hub of epidemiologists, rapid notification to health authorities, and an optional staffed care management program for nursing facilities. Data privacy protections are required, use of the data for regulatory enforcement is generally prohibited unless separately authorized, and contracted entities must comply with HIPAA as covered entities. The bill also authorizes the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation to test models supporting adoption of this surveillance technology. The bill primarily affects nursing homes, their residents, and federal/state public health agencies, by creating a system meant to detect and respond to outbreaks more quickly. It would also affect technology and health-data companies eligible to bid for the surveillance contracts. At the end of the five-year program, HHS must report to Congress on the system's effectiveness, its impact on hospitalizations and outcomes, and recommendations on whether to continue or expand it. Funding would be authorized for fiscal years 2027–2031. The bill was introduced May 12, 2026, by Senator Tillis with Senator Hickenlooper, and referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee; it has not yet received committee or floor action.
- Has S. 4499 become law?
- Not yet. As of 12 May 2026, S. 4499 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 4499?
- S. 4499 was sponsored by Sen. Thom Tillis [R-NC] (Republican-NC), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on S. 4499?
- Introduced (12 May 2026).
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