Mobile Health Access and Community Care Act of 2027

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Mobile Health Access and Community Care Act of 2027.”

SECTION 2. CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:
1. Millions of Americans, particularly those living in rural areas, Tribal communities, and underserved urban neighborhoods, face significant barriers to accessing timely primary, preventive, behavioral, and chronic health care services.
2. Mobile health units and community-based care delivery models have demonstrated effectiveness in reaching underserved populations, reducing preventable emergency room utilization, and improving continuity of care.
3. Federal law already supports mobile and community-based care through programs administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), including the Health Center Program and mobile unit authorities expanded under Public Law 117–204, known as the MOBILE Health Care Act.
4. Despite existing authorities, many communities lack the infrastructure, coordination, and sustained funding necessary to deploy mobile health services at scale.
5. Strategic federal investment, paired with strong accountability, privacy protections, and local coordination, can expand access to care while respecting patient choice and provider autonomy.

SECTION 3. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:

1. Secretary.—The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

2. Eligible Entity.—The term “eligible entity” means—

(A) a federally qualified health center;
(B) a rural health clinic;
(C) a Tribal health program or Tribal organization;
(D) a nonprofit hospital or health system;
(E) a State or local public health department; or
(F) a partnership of two or more entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (E).

3. Mobile Health Unit.—The term “mobile health unit” means a vehicle or deployable clinical platform equipped to provide primary care, preventive services, behavioral health screenings, chronic disease management, vaccinations, or referral services.

4. Underserved Area.—The term “underserved area” means a geographic area, population group, or health care facility designated as a Health Professional Shortage Area under section 332 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. § 254e).
   

SECTION 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM.

(a) In General.—The Secretary, acting through HRSA, shall establish a competitive grant program to support the deployment and operation of mobile health units and community-based care services in underserved areas.
(b) Program Integration.—In carrying out this Act, the Secretary shall coordinate implementation with—

1. mobile unit authorities and New Access Point grants under the Health Center Program, including authorities expanded by Public Law 117–204 (MOBILE Health Care Act);
2. existing HRSA-funded access points, rural health clinics, and Tribal health systems, as applicable.
(c) Supplement Not Supplant.—Funds made available under this Act shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, other Federal, State, local, or private funds used to support health care services.

SECTION 5. USES OF FUNDS.

An eligible entity receiving assistance under this Act may use such funds for—
1. the acquisition, retrofitting, or operation of mobile health units;
2. staffing, training, and clinical equipment necessary to deliver covered health services;
3. preventive care, behavioral health screenings, chronic disease management, and referral coordination;
4. outreach, scheduling, and patient navigation services;
5. reduced-cost services or sliding-scale fee structures for veterans, seniors, and low-income patients, consistent with applicable law and program sustainability; and
6. other activities determined appropriate by the Secretary to advance the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. PATIENT PROTECTIONS AND ACCESS STANDARDS.

(a) Ability to Pay.—No patient shall be denied access to services provided under this Act solely due to inability to pay.
(b) Financial Sustainability.—Each recipient shall maintain a written financial sustainability and charity-care policy, including referral pathways to Medicaid, Medicare, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or community partners, as applicable.

SECTION 7. DATA PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY.

(a) HIPAA Compliance.—All services provided under this Act shall comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and applicable regulations.
(b) Behavioral Health Records.—Recipients shall comply with applicable confidentiality laws governing behavioral health and substance use disorder records, including 42 C.F.R. Part 2, where applicable.
(c) Data Minimization.—Recipients shall minimize the collection of personal data, use such data solely for program administration and care coordination, and shall not sell or transfer patient data.

SECTION 8. OVERSIGHT AND REPORTING.

(a) Annual Reports.—Each recipient shall submit an annual report to the Secretary containing de-identified, aggregate information on—
1. number of patients served and visits provided;
2. types of services delivered;
3. referral and follow-up completion rates, where measurable; and
4. geographic areas served.
(b) Public Transparency.—The Secretary shall maintain a publicly accessible map identifying service locations and aggregate outcomes under this Act.
(c) Administrative Cost Limitation.—Not more than 5 percent of funds awarded under this Act may be used for administrative expenses, including indirect costs.

SECTION 9. ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS.

Any physical modification of facilities funded under this Act shall comply with applicable environmental review requirements, where required by law.

SECTION 10. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to require participation by any individual or entity, to mandate ideological alignment, or to limit State, local, or Tribal authority. All activities funded under this Act shall comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws.

SECTION 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated not more than $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2028 through 2032 to carry out this Act.

Legislative Proposal Disclaimer

The policies and legislative proposals presented on this website reflect the goals, priorities, and policy positions of Oxford C.F. Nordberg as a candidate for public office.

All proposals are conceptual working drafts intended to communicate policy direction and legislative intent. They are subject to revision through the legislative process, including legal review, constitutional constraints, public input, committee consideration, amendment, and approval by the appropriate legislative bodies.

Nothing on this website should be interpreted as enacted law, legal advice, or a guarantee of legislative outcome.

Any references to budgets, timelines, performance targets, enforcement mechanisms, or anticipated outcomes are illustrative only and are provided to explain policy objectives—not to represent final statutory language or binding commitments.

Legislative Proposal Disclaimer

The policies and legislative proposals presented on this website reflect the goals, priorities, and policy positions of Oxford C.F. Nordberg as a candidate for public office.

All proposals are conceptual working drafts intended to communicate policy direction and legislative intent. They are subject to revision through the legislative process, including legal review, constitutional constraints, public input, committee consideration, amendment, and approval by the appropriate legislative bodies.

Nothing on this website should be interpreted as enacted law, legal advice, or a guarantee of legislative outcome.

Any references to budgets, timelines, performance targets, enforcement mechanisms, or anticipated outcomes are illustrative only and are provided to explain policy objectives—not to represent final statutory language or binding commitments.