S. 4110 – EMPOWER for Health Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated July 30, 2026 at 1:52 AM UTC

The EMPOWER for Health Act updates Title VII of the Public Health Service Act to boost and extend funding for health‑professionals training programs through 2031. It raises the money available for multiple workforce initiatives, lengthens program timelines, and adds new rules for pediatric health professionals to provide full‑time service to underserved children. The bill also expands nursing workforce analysis grants and broadens the scope of Area Health Education Centers to reach middle‑school students.

Key Provisions

Increases annual funding for several health workforce programs (e.g., training, scholarships, loan repayment) and extends their authorization periods from the 2021‑2025 window to 2027‑2031.
Extends the deadline for program completion and reporting to September 30, 2031.
Changes language for pediatric health workforce programs so participants must “perform full‑time service” rather than simply be employed, and defines eligibility for qualified health professionals serving underserved pediatric populations.
Sets full‑time service obligations that require at least half of contract hours to be direct clinical care and aligns service requirements with residency/fellowship accreditation standards; adds provisions for liquidated damages and contract termination.
Amends Area Health Education Centers to include middle‑school students (adding “middle school and” before “high school”).
Creates new grant/contract authority for nursing workforce analysis, specifying eligibility criteria, required technical assistance, and reporting duties to help states address nursing shortages.

Legislative Activity

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4 earlier actions

SenateCalendars Latest Action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 529.

July 28, 2026

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

March 17, 2026

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1093)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

March 17, 2026

SenateCommittee

Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

July 22, 2026

SenateCommittee

Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Cassidy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

July 28, 2026

SenateCalendars

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 529.

July 28, 2026

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about S. 4110 on the floor

1 Democrat

Sen. Jack ReedD-RI · Mar 17, 2026

Mr. President, today, I am pleased to introduce the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2026 with Senators Tim Scott, Tina Smith, and James Lankford. Our bipartisan bill will…

Mr. President, today, I am pleased to introduce the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2026 with Senators Tim Scott, Tina Smith, and James Lankford.

Our bipartisan bill will reauthorize the C.W. Bill Young National Marrow Donor Program and the National Cord Blood Inventory, which help individuals diagnosed with leukemia and lymphomas, sickle cell anemia, and rare genetic blood disorders find suitable bone marrow or umbilical cord blood donors.

More than 18,000 individuals are diagnosed with diseases like blood cancer and sickle cell disease each year and hope for a blood stem cell or bone marrow transplant to help treat or even cure their disease. Since the 1980s, the public registries created under these programs have been a lifeline for the more than 75 percent of Americans who do not have a matched donor in their families. By strengthening and enhancing the important programs operating these registries, many more Americans will be afforded the opportunity to find a match if they are ever in need.

I look forward to swift consideration of this legislation in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee and working toward passage in the full Senate.

Mr. President, I am pleased to be introducing the Educating Medical Professionals and Optimizing Workforce Efficiency and Readiness, EMPOWER, for Health Act with Senator Murkowski. Our bipartisan legislation would reauthorize funding for the title VII health professions programs to help strengthen the distribution, quality, and diversity of the health professions workforce so it is better prepared to meet the country's evolving and emerging health care needs.

The title VII health professions programs have a longstanding history of increasing the supply of primary care professionals, expanding access to care in rural and urban underserved areas, and developing a workforce that reflects the Nation's diversity and the needs of patients. At a time when the country is facing persistent health provider shortages, it is critical that we continue to support the programs that build our healthcare workforce, such as scholarships for disadvantaged students, public health and preventive medicine, geriatrics training, area health education centers, oral health training, and primary care medicine.

These education and training programs guide current and aspiring health professionals to high-demand careers in areas of greatest need, and this legislation will take an important step in ensuring that these programs can continue to serve students and patients for years to come. Our legislation addresses some ongoing challenges with the Pediatric Subspecialty Loan Repayment Program, clarifying eligibility requirements and making it easier for qualified pediatric subspecialists to apply.

I want to thank the stakeholders supporting this bill, including AIDS Action Baltimore, AIDS Foundation Chicago, the AIDS Institute, the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Association of Medical Colleges, the American Public Health Association, the American Society for Microbiology, the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health, Big Cities Health Coalition, the Children's Hospital Association, Fast-Track Health, the Gerontological Society of America, the HIV Dental Alliance, the HIV Medicine Association, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care, the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, the National Association of County & City Health Officials, the National Association for Geriatric Education, the National Hispanic Medical Association, NMAC, the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, and the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists and I urge my colleagues to join me and Senator Murkowski in working to pass the EMPOWER for Health Act this year.

Sen. Jack ReedD-RI · Mar 17, 2026

Mr. President, I am pleased to be introducing the Educating Medical Professionals and Optimizing Workforce Efficiency and Readiness, EMPOWER, for Health Act with Senator Murkowski. Our bipartisan…

Mr. President, I am pleased to be introducing the Educating Medical Professionals and Optimizing Workforce Efficiency and Readiness, EMPOWER, for Health Act with Senator Murkowski. Our bipartisan legislation would reauthorize funding for the title VII health professions programs to help strengthen the distribution, quality, and diversity of the health professions workforce so it is better prepared to meet the country's evolving and emerging health care needs.

The title VII health professions programs have a longstanding history of increasing the supply of primary care professionals, expanding access to care in rural and urban underserved areas, and developing a workforce that reflects the Nation's diversity and the needs of patients. At a time when the country is facing persistent health provider shortages, it is critical that we continue to support the programs that build our healthcare workforce, such as scholarships for disadvantaged students, public health and preventive medicine, geriatrics training, area health education centers, oral health training, and primary care medicine.

These education and training programs guide current and aspiring health professionals to high-demand careers in areas of greatest need, and this legislation will take an important step in ensuring that these programs can continue to serve students and patients for years to come. Our legislation addresses some ongoing challenges with the Pediatric Subspecialty Loan Repayment Program, clarifying eligibility requirements and making it easier for qualified pediatric subspecialists to apply.

I want to thank the stakeholders supporting this bill, including AIDS Action Baltimore, AIDS Foundation Chicago, the AIDS Institute, the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Association of Medical Colleges, the American Public Health Association, the American Society for Microbiology, the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health, Big Cities Health Coalition, the Children's Hospital Association, Fast-Track Health, the Gerontological Society of America, the HIV Dental Alliance, the HIV Medicine Association, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care, the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, the National Association of County & City Health Officials, the National Association for Geriatric Education, the National Hispanic Medical Association, NMAC, the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, and the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists and I urge my colleagues to join me and Senator Murkowski in working to pass the EMPOWER for Health Act this year.

Bill Text

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Reported to SenateIssued July 28, 2026

II

Calendar No. 529

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 4110

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

March 17, 2026

Mr. Reed (for himself and Ms. Murkowski) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

July 28, 2026

Reported by Mr. Cassidy, with an amendment

Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic

A BILL

To revise and extend health workforce programs under title VII of the Public Health Service Act.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Educating Medical Professionals and Optimizing Workforce Efficiency and Readiness for Health Act or the EMPOWER for Health Act.

2.

Reauthorization of health professions workforce programs

Title VII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 292 et seq.) is amended—

(1)

in section 736(i) (42 U.S.C. 293(i)), by striking $23,711,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025 and inserting $28,422,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030;

(2)

in section 740 (42 U.S.C. 293d)—

(A)

in subsection (a), by striking $51,470,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025 and inserting $55,014,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030;

(B)

in subsection (b), by striking appropriated, $1,190,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025 and inserting appropriated $2,310,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030;

(C)

in subsection (c), by striking $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025 and inserting $16,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030; and

(D)

in subsection (d), by striking September 30, 2025 and inserting September 30, 2030;

(3)

in section 747(c)(1) (42 U.S.C. 293k(c)(1)), by striking $48,924,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025 and inserting $49,924,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030;

(4)

in section 748(f) (42 U.S.C. 293k–2(f)), by striking $28,531,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025 and inserting $42,673,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030;

(5)

in section 751(j)(1) (42 U.S.C. 294a(j)(1)), by striking $41,250,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025 and inserting $47,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030;

(6)

in section 753(d) (42 U.S.C. 294c(d)), by striking $40,737,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025 and inserting $48,245,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030;

(7)

in section 761(e)(1)(A) (42 U.S.C. 294n(e)(1)(A)), by striking 2021 through 2025 and inserting 2026 through 2030;

(8)

in section 762(i) (42 U.S.C. 294o(i)), by striking September 30, 2023 and inserting September 30, 2030;

(9)

in section 770(a) (42 U.S.C. 295e(a)), by striking $17,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025 and inserting $18,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030;

(10)

in section 775(e) (42 U.S.C. 295f(e)), by striking is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025. and inserting the following: “are authorized to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030—

(1)

to carry out subsection (c)(1)(A), $5,000,000; and

(2)

to carry out subsection (c)(1)(B), $5,000,000.

; and

(11)

in section 776(i) (42 U.S.C. 295f–1(i)), by striking 2023 through 2025 and inserting 2026 through 2030.

3.

Investment in tomorrow’s pediatric health care workforce

Section 775 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295f) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a), by striking be employed full-time and inserting perform full-time service;

(2)

in subsection (b)—

(A)

in paragraph (1), by striking in an area with a shortage of the specified pediatric subspecialty that has a sufficient pediatric population to support such pediatric subspecialty, as determined by the Secretary and inserting to underserved children or in an area with a shortage of the specified pediatric subspecialty; and

(B)

in paragraph (2)(B)—

(i)

by striking employment and inserting service; and

(ii)

by striking an area or and inserting a;

(3)

in subsection (c)—

(A)

by striking the subsection designation and heading and all that follows through the paragraph designation and heading in paragraph (1) and inserting the following:

(c)

Eligibility

(1)

Definition of qualified health professional

In this section:

;

(B)

in paragraph (1)—

(i)

in subparagraph (A)—

(I)

in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting under this section after contracts; and

(II)

in clause (ii), by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting clause (i); and

(ii)

in subparagraph (B), in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting under this section after contracts; and

(C)

in paragraph (2)—

(i)

in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking this subsection with an eligible individual and inserting this section with a qualified health professional;

(ii)

in subparagraph (A)—

(I)

by striking individual and inserting qualified health professional; and

(II)

by striking medically underserved population and inserting medically underserved pediatric population (including children enrolled in the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act); and

(iii)

in each of subparagraphs (B) and (C), by striking individual and inserting qualified health professional;

(4)

by redesignating subsection (e) (as amended by section 2(10)) as subsection (f); and

(5)

by inserting after subsection (d) the following:

(e)

Full-Time service obligations

(1)

In general

With respect to qualified health professionals described in subparagraphs (A)(ii) and (B) of subsection (c)(1) who enter into contracts under this section, the Secretary shall establish requirements for full-time service that are consistent with the practice standards, including research and teaching obligations, of the applicable pediatric medical subspecialty, pediatric surgical specialty, or child and adolescent mental and behavioral health care field in which such qualified health professional practices.

(2)

Fellowships or residencies

With respect to qualified health professionals described in subsection (c)(1)(A)(i), the Secretary shall establish requirements for full-time service that are consistent with the requirements of the accrediting body for the applicable residency or fellowship for full-time service.

.

4.

Area health education centers

Section 751 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 294a) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (c)(1)(G), by striking high school and inserting pre-collegiate; and

(2)

in subsection (h)(1)—

(A)

in subparagraph (A), by striking 12 years and inserting 2 award cycles; and

(B)

in subparagraph (B), by striking 6 years and inserting 1 award cycle.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Educating Medical Professionals and Optimizing Workforce Efficiency and Readiness for Health Act or the EMPOWER for Health Act.

2.

Reauthorization of health professions workforce programs

Title VII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 292 et seq.) is amended—

(1)

in section 736(i) (42 U.S.C. 293(i)), by striking $23,711,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025 and inserting $25,422,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031;

(2)

in section 740 (42 U.S.C. 293d)—

(A)

in subsection (a), by striking $51,470,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025 and inserting $55,014,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031;

(B)

in subsection (b), by striking appropriated, $1,190,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025 and inserting appropriated $2,310,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031;

(C)

in subsection (c), by striking fiscal years 2021 through 2025 and inserting fiscal years 2027 through 2031; and

(D)

in subsection (d), by striking September 30, 2025 and inserting September 30, 2031;

(3)

in section 747(c)(1) (42 U.S.C. 293k(c)(1)), by striking $48,924,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025 and inserting $49,924,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031;

(4)

in section 748(f) (42 U.S.C. 293k–2(f)), by striking $28,531,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025 and inserting $43,673,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031;

(5)

in section 751(j)(1) (42 U.S.C. 294a(j)(1)), by striking $41,250,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025 and inserting $47,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031;

(6)

in section 753(d) (42 U.S.C. 294c(d)), by striking $40,737,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025 and inserting $48,245,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031;

(7)

in section 761(e)(1)(A) (42 U.S.C. 294n(e)(1)(A)), by striking 2021 through 2025 and inserting 2027 through 2031;

(8)

in section 762(i) (42 U.S.C. 294o(i)), by striking September 30, 2023 and inserting September 30, 2031;

(9)

in section 770(a) (42 U.S.C. 295e(a)), by striking $17,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025 and inserting $18,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031;

(10)

in section 775(e) (42 U.S.C. 295f(e)), by striking such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025. and inserting to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031, to remain available until expended.; and

(11)

in section 776(i) (42 U.S.C. 295f–1(i)), by striking 2023 through 2025 and inserting 2027 through 2031.

3.

Investment in tomorrow’s pediatric health care workforce

Section 775 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295f) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a), by striking be employed full-time and inserting perform full-time service;

(2)

in subsection (b)—

(A)

in paragraph (1), by inserting to underserved pediatric populations, or to provide such care before in an area; and

(B)

in paragraph (2)(B)—

(i)

by striking employment and inserting service; and

(ii)

by striking serving an area or population described in such paragraph;

(3)

in subsection (c)—

(A)

by striking the subsection designation and heading and all that follows through the paragraph designation and heading in paragraph (1) and inserting the following:

(c)

Eligibility

(1)

Definition of qualified health professional

In this section:

;

(B)

in paragraph (1)—

(i)

in subparagraph (A)—

(I)

in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting under this section after contracts; and

(II)

in clause (ii), by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting clause (i); and

(ii)

in subparagraph (B)—

(I)

in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting under this section after contracts;

(II)

in clause (i), by striking or professional counseling and inserting professional counseling, or such other pediatric mental or behavioral health discipline as the Secretary determines appropriate; and

(III)

in clause (ii), by striking or professional counseling and inserting professional counseling, or such other pediatric mental or behavioral health discipline as the Secretary determines appropriate; and

(C)

in paragraph (2)—

(i)

in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking this subsection with an eligible individual and inserting this section with a qualified health professional;

(ii)

in subparagraph (A)—

(I)

by striking individual and inserting qualified health professional; and

(II)

by striking medically underserved population and inserting medically underserved pediatric population (including children enrolled in the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act); and

(iii)

in each of subparagraphs (B) and (C), by striking individual and inserting qualified health professional;

(4)

by redesignating subsection (e) (as amended by section 2(10)) as subsection (h); and

(5)

by inserting after subsection (d) the following:

(e)

Full-Time service obligations

(1)

In general

With respect to qualified health professionals described in subsection (c)(1)(A)(i), qualified health professionals described in subsection (c)(1)(A)(ii) (including those who have completed their residency or fellowship and have additional time remaining on their contract), and qualified health professionals described in subsection (c)(1)(B), the Secretary, in consultation with organizations representing qualified pediatric health professionals and service sites, shall establish requirements for full-time service that include, at a minimum, a requirement that half of the required service hours per contract year must be providing direct clinical care. In establishing such requirements, the Secretary shall ensure that such requirements take into account the research and teaching obligations of fellows in accredited pediatric residency and fellowship programs.

(2)

Fellowships or residencies

With respect to qualified health professionals described in subsection (c)(1)(A)(i), the Secretary shall establish requirements for full-time service that are consistent with the requirements of the accrediting body for the applicable residency or fellowship for full-time service.

(f)

Breach of contract

(1)

Liquidated damages formula

The Secretary may establish a liquidated damages formula to be used in the event of a breach of a contract entered into under this section.

(2)

Limitation

The failure by an individual to complete the full period of service obligated pursuant to a contract entered into under this section, taken alone, shall not constitute a breach of such contract, so long as the individual completed in good faith the years of service for which payments were made to the individual under this section.

(g)

Termination of contract

The Secretary may terminate a contract under this section in the same manner as the Secretary may terminate a contract entered into under section 338B.

.

4.

Area health education centers

Section 751(c)(1)(G) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 294a(c)(1)(G)) is amended by inserting middle school and before high school.

5.

State and regional centers for health workforce analysis

(a)

Expansion of covered programs

Section 761(c)(1)(A) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 294n(c)(1)(A)) is amended by striking under this title and inserting under this Act.

(b)

Analysis and technical assistance

Section 761(c) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 294n(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(3)

Minimum requirement

At least one grant or contract awarded under this subsection may be awarded to an eligible entity that demonstrates—

(A)

a mission to advance and support the nursing workforce;

(B)

experience and expertise in guiding State-level nursing workforce centers;

(C)

experience in working with nursing workforce data;

(D)

expertise in analytical methods and tools appropriate for nursing workforce research; and

(E)

awareness of emerging topics, issues, and trends related to the nursing workforce.

(4)

Analysis and reporting

Analysis and reporting carried out pursuant to a grant or contract under this subsection may include—

(A)

collaborating with nursing workforce centers to produce or deliver educational materials and research with respect to the supply of nurses, the demand for nurses, and the capacity to educate and train the nursing workforce;

(B)

evaluating the programs and activities of the nursing workforce centers overall;

(C)

developing evidence-based or evidence-informed strategies and best practices to alleviate nursing workforce shortages across States and regions; and

(D)

conducting rapid data analysis and short-term, issue-specific research.

(5)

Technical assistance

Technical assistance provided pursuant to this subsection may include—

(A)

providing technical assistance to nursing workforce centers on the collection, analysis, and reporting of standardized supply, demand, and education and training data to inform analysis conducted pursuant to this subsection;

(B)

collaborating with nursing workforce centers to identify and deliver evidence-based or evidence-informed strategies to alleviate nursing shortages and the maldistribution of nurses;

(C)

providing online and in-person training opportunities for nurses and other staff at nursing workforce centers; and

(D)

developing and maintaining a website that—

(i)

is accessible to grant and contract recipients under this section;

(ii)

supports resources for the provision of technical assistance under this section, such as—

(I)

evidence-based or evidence-informed educational materials, tools, recent findings of interest, and links to relevant resources; and

(II)

logistical and administrative information, such as online trainings, webinars, and publications; and

(iii)

includes a publicly accessible repository of webinars, tools, and resources.

.

July 28, 2026

Reported with an amendment