YourVoice.Now Summary
Your MoneyTransparency & AccountabilityA federal heart-screening program for women could grow from three states to all of them — if Congress pays for it.
Your Money
Today these checks go to women in the CDC's breast and cervical cancer screening program. The bill would also open them to other women that federal health officials count as high-risk.
Current law names only blood pressure and cholesterol. The bill would add obesity and other risk factors, and require health education shown to improve a measurable result.
Current law lets the government fund this in no more than three states. The bill would drop that limit, so any state already in the cancer-screening program could be funded.
Today these services must come through a clinic that also screens women for breast or cervical cancer. The bill would let federal health officials approve other health care providers too.
Transparency & Accountability
The Government Accountability Office would have to report on the program, known as WISEWOMAN, to two congressional committees by September 30, 2027. It would cover how many women are served, what blocks access to heart screenings, and how results compare to cost.
The bill would authorize up to $250 million across fiscal years 2027 through 2031. After that, Congress would have to pass a new law to keep the money going.
More about this bill
A federal program that checks women for heart-disease risk would be able to run in every state, not just three. Today the law caps it at three states. Right now it screens for blood pressure and cholesterol. The bill would add obesity and other risk factors. Women already in the CDC's breast and cervical cancer screening program could keep getting these checks. Federal health officials would set the rules for which other high-risk women qualify. More kinds of clinics could do the work, if the government approves them. The bill sets a spending ceiling of $250 million for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. Congress would still have to vote that money each year.
Congressional Summary
Women’s Heart Health Expansion Act of 2026This bill reauthorizes through FY2031 and expands a grant program that supports preventive health services (e.g., screenings, referrals) regarding women’s cardiovascular health. This program is known as the Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation of Women Across the Nation (WISEWOMAN) program, which is administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Under current law, only three states may receive a WISEWOMAN grant, and health care providers and recipients of services must participate in the CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program in order to qualify under the WISEWOMAN program. The bill revises the WISEWOMAN program by (1) removing the three-state limitation, (2) allowing providers to participate even if not providing services under the other CDC program (as determined by the CDC), and (3) allowing participation of high-risk women who are not eligible under the other CDC program (based on CDC criteria). Additionally, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to report to Congress on the work of the WISEWOMAN program.
Legislative Subjects
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in Senate
- Action Date
- 2026-02-26
- Date Added
- 2026-09-04
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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