Prioritizing Primary Care Act of 2026

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 8765 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8765

To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to require reports on primary care spending under Federal health care programs and to establish a working group on primary care.

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 12, 2026

Mr. Rouzer (for himself, Mrs. Kiggans of Virginia, Mr. Courtney, and Mr. Bera) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

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A BILL

To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to require reports on primary care spending under Federal health care programs and to establish a working group on primary care.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Prioritizing Primary Care Act of 2026''.

SEC. 2. REQUIRING REPORTS AND ESTABLISHING WORKING GROUP ON PRIMARY CARE.

(a) Report.--Part A of title XI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 1150D. REPORT ON PRIMARY CARE SPENDING.

``Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, and not less frequently than annually thereafter, each head of a Federal agency that administers a Federal health care program (as such term is defined in section 1128B) or the health program established under chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, shall submit to Congress a report on primary care spending (as defined by the Secretary) under each such program administered by such head, including, with respect to the 1-year period ending on the date that is 90 days before the date on which the report is required to be submitted-- ``(1) the total dollar amount of Federal funds expended or obligated under such program during such period that is attributable to primary care spending; and ``(2) the percentage of the total amount of Federal funds expended or obligated to provide health benefits under such program during such period that is attributable to primary care spending.''. (b) Working Group on Primary Care.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall establish a working group (in this subsection referred to as the ``Working Group'') to study and make recommendations on-- (A) how each Federal health care program (as such term is defined in section 1128B of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a-7b)) and the health program established under chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code, may prioritize primary care spending (as defined by the Secretary for purposes of 1150D of the Social Security Act); (B) how to increase the accessibility of primary care providers (as defined by the Secretary); and (C) how to improve the availability and quality of primary care services (as defined by the Secretary), including with respect to individuals in rural and medically underserved areas (as defined by the Working Group). (2) Membership.--The Working Group shall consist of members from relevant Federal agencies and nongovernmental entities, as determined appropriate by the Secretary. (3) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which the Working Group is established under paragraph (1), the Working Group shall submit to Congress a report containing the recommendations described in such paragraph. (4) Consultation.--In conducting the study and making the recommendations required under paragraph (1), the Working Group shall solicit input from States and relevant nongovernmental entities (as determined appropriate by the Working Group), including entities that represent patients, health care professionals, researchers, or health care industries. <all>