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Floor Speech

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Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Health Investment Zones Act of 2026. This legislation would designate health investment zones for 10 years in areas with large health disparities based on income, life expectancy, provider shortages, and align tax, grant, loan-repayment, and Medicare incentives to expand services where they are needed most.

This bill would establish health investment zones, HIZs, in areas with significant health disparities, offering incentives like expanded tax credits for employers and workers, grants for health projects, and loan repayment for healthcare professionals serving in these zones. It supports initiatives such as mobile clinics and wellness programs and provides Medicare bonuses for services delivered in HIZs. The bill focuses on improving outcomes for conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and maternal health, with a 10-year report to measure progress in health, access, and cost reductions.

Many communities face preventable gaps in health care access that lead to higher emergency room use, more hospital admissions, and rising costs. Establishing 10-year health investment zones will help close these gaps and ensure that underserved areas receive the consistent, affordable, and high-quality care they need. ______

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