Grants for hospitals to promote equitable health care and outcomes

(a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the Secretary) shall award grants to hospitals to promote equitable health care treatment and services, and reduce disparities in care and outcomes. (b) Consultation In establishing the criteria for grants under this section and evaluating applications for such grants, the Secretary shall consult with the Director for Civil Rights and Health Equity of the Department of Health and Human Services. (c) Use of funds A hospital shall use funds received from a grant under this section to establish or expand programs to provide equitable health care to all patients and to ensure equitable health care outcomes. Such uses may include— (1) providing explicit and implicit bias training to medical providers and staff; (2) providing translation or interpretation services for patients; (3) recruiting and training a diverse workforce; (4) tracking data related to care and outcomes; and (5) training on cultural sensitivity. (d) Priority In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to hospitals that have received disproportionate share hospital payments under section 1886(r) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(r)) or section 1923 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396r–4) with respect to fiscal year 2026. (e) Supplement, not supplant Grants awarded under this section shall be used to supplement, not supplant, any nongovernment efforts, or other Federal, State, or local funds provided to a recipient. (f) Equitable health care defined The term equitable health care has the meaning given such term in section 1886(b)(3)(B)(viii)(XIII)(cc) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(b)(3)(B)(viii)(XIII)(cc)), as added by section 4502(a). (g) Authorization of appropriations To carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.