Federal agencies would track poverty-linked diseases and support research

Federal officials would form a task force to advise Congress and coordinate disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and research. It would include health, housing, and environmental agencies and other federal departments affected by these policies. Its report would review research and consult state and local officials, health experts, and outside organizations. The task force and initial report would be due no later than 180 days after enactment; research recommendations would follow twice a year.

CDC would fund state disease tracking and health-center testing of care guidelines. Federal officials would also educate medical workers and the public. Programs would cover chronic, disabling diseases caused by parasites, bacteria, or other germs that mainly affect people living in extreme poverty. Grant decisions would use the task force's findings to prioritize places with the highest estimated disease rates or populations at greatest risk.

Federal health officials would conduct or fund research and could award qualified nonprofits money to establish or support specialized research centers. Research would cover affordable treatments, tests, vaccines, and ways to control insects or other disease carriers. Research would follow task-force recommendations. Center applicants would need a demonstrated record of research on these diseases. Center awards could last up to five years and receive extensions of up to five years after favorable peer review. Congress could provide funding in fiscal year 2027 and later years.