S. 3944 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Feb 26, 2026
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryExpands women's heart health screening program
Right now, only three states can get federal grants to help screen women for heart disease risk and provide referrals to care through a program called WISEWOMAN. This bill would remove that three-state limit and let more health providers offer these cardiovascular screenings, even if they're not connected to another federal cancer screening program. It would also let more women sign up for the services, especially those at high risk for heart problems.
How it affects you
If you're a woman living in a state that currently doesn't have access to WISEWOMAN, this bill could eventually bring these heart health screenings to your area. Women who don't qualify under the current rules would also become eligible for preventive cardiovascular services like screenings and care referrals under the expanded program.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Feb 26, 2026)
Women’s Heart Health Expansion Act of 2026
This 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.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
2nd SessionS. 3944
A BILL
Women’s Heart Health Expansion Act of 2026
Sponsor: Sen. Angela D. Alsobrooks (D-MD) · Introduced Feb 26, 2026 · Health · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 19, 2026: “Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held.”