H.R. 7198 Introduced Health

Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act of 2026

To amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to the designation of general surgery shortage areas, and for other purposes.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6] Introduced January 22, 2026 Cosponsors 9 (2 R, 7 D) Latest action January 22, 2026

Summary

Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act of 2026
This bill requires the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to study access to general surgeons by underserved populations.
Specifically, HRSA must study (1) whether the health professional shortage area designation under the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) program accurately assesses adequacy of access to general surgeons, (2) whether another measure would be more accurate, and (3) potential methodologies for designating general surgery shortage areas. (The NHSC provides scholarships and student loan repayment awards to primary care, dental care, and mental health care providers who agree to work in areas that HRSA designates as having a shortage of those particular types of providers.)
HRSA must also publish data comparing the availability and need of general surgery services in urban, suburban, and rural areas.
On the basis of its study, HRSA may establish a methodology for designating general surgery shortage areas and make such designations. If any designations are made, HRSA must publish a list of general surgery shortage areas.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Actions

  1. Jan 22, 2026 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  2. Jan 22, 2026 Introduced in House

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