Green New Deal for Health Act

This section establishes a new Office within HHS to coordinate the federal response to climate change's health impacts. It also mandates the Secretary of HHS to publish a national strategic action plan within one year, outlining strategies to prepare public health and healthcare systems for climate change, reduce the health sector's carbon footprint, and address health disparities exacerbated by climate impacts.

Amends the Social Security Act to require hospitals participating in Medicare to notify the Secretary of HHS at least 90 days before discontinuing essential services or closing. It prohibits discontinuing essential services during this period unless there's a clear safety risk. The Secretary can require a mitigation plan and facilitate an alternative plan if access to essential services is negatively impacted, with public comment. Hospitals violating these rules may be prohibited from Medicare enrollment for up to 3 years.

Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to authorize $130 billion for community health centers for fiscal years 2027-2031, with an additional $2 billion annually for each of those years. It mandates that at least 50% of these funds be awarded to entities for projects or sites located in or serving environmental justice communities. It also prohibits the use of funds for anti-union activities.

Amends the Public Health Service Act to expand the Hill-Burton program to include grants for construction or modernization projects that increase capacity for essential healthcare and update medical facilities to be more resilient to climate disasters and public health crises. It prioritizes projects incorporating resilience against natural disasters, climate change mitigation (e.g., onsite renewable energy, high-efficiency HVAC, green infrastructure, protected access routes), and environmental justice. Authorizes $100 billion for FY 2027.

Establishes a new grant program to provide up to $500,000 per grant to eligible entities (states, tribal governments, non-profits) to develop "sustainability and resiliency plans" for medical facilities and surrounding infrastructure. These plans would include pre-project evaluations, community outreach, engineering assessments, and management assistance for proposed construction/modernization projects. Prioritizes facilities serving Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries, uninsured patients, and environmental justice communities. Authorizes $5 billion for FY 2027.

Establishes an Office of Sustainability and Environmental Impact within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to support healthcare decarbonization, sustainability, and environmental efforts. The Office will develop regulations for climate-informed care, track emissions, provide technical assistance, and issue "Climate-Friendly" health system designations. It also mandates biennial reports to Congress on healthcare sustainability. Authorizes $2 million annually for FY 2027-2036.

Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish a task force (FDA, EPA, HHS Office of Climate Change and Health Equity) to develop a strategy for climate risk disclosure policies for drug and device manufacturers. The task force will recommend methodologies for calculating emissions from product lifecycle, mandatory public disclosure policies, oversight mechanisms, and methods to disseminate information on low-environmental impact treatment options. The Secretary of HHS must then promulgate regulations based on these recommendations within one year. Authorizes $4 million for FY 2027.

Establishes a Federal interagency Council on Green Health Care Manufacturing, chaired by the Secretary of HHS, to assess global and domestic medical supply chains for environmental and climate impacts, labor conditions, efficiency, and human rights abuses. Based on this assessment, the Council will develop recommendations for regulations and a grant program to support sustainable, zero-emission, U.S.-based medical manufacturing with good labor conditions. The Secretary must then promulgate regulations based on these recommendations within one year. Authorizes such sums as necessary.

Establishes a competitive grant program for health professions schools (medical, nursing, PA, psychiatry, public health, community health worker programs, etc.) to develop and integrate education and training programs on identifying, treating, and mitigating mental and physical health risks associated with climate change. Programs must engage frontline and environmental justice communities and address racial/ethnic disparities. Authorizes $9 billion for FY 2027.

Amends the Public Health Service Act to expand the purposes of community health worker programs to include building career paths, establishing permanent positions with prevailing wages, and expanding the workforce by 150,000 workers by 2031. It specifically directs community health workers to educate and provide home visitation services regarding climate change health risks and environmental hazards. Authorizes $10 billion annually for FY 2027-2036. Prioritizes applicants with collective bargaining agreements or non-interference policies.

Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a new section authorizing grants to public or private nonprofit healthcare facilities and home health agencies. These grants would provide hazardous duty compensation (up to $13/hour, max $25,000/year) to eligible essential healthcare workers (including direct care, medical technologists, public health, orderlies, environmental services) whose work or commute is hazardous during an emergency or disaster (including climate disasters). Funds can also be used for safety measures like PPE and alternative transit. Authorizes such sums as necessary.

Establishes a grant program for nonprofit or community organizations to establish, operate, or expand "community mental wellness and resilience programs." These programs take a public health approach to mental health, focusing on strengthening community psychological and emotional wellness, identifying protective and risk factors, and building awareness and skills. Grants are up to $300,000/year for 4 years, with planning grants up to $100,000. Requires a "resilience coordinating network" of diverse community entities. Authorizes $100 million annually for FY 2027-2031, with 20% for rural and 20% for environmental justice communities.

Establishes a community heat resilience program within NOAA to provide financial assistance (contracts, grants, cooperative agreements) to eligible entities (nonprofits, academic institutions, states, tribal/local governments) for projects to ameliorate mental and physical human health impacts of extreme heat. Projects include expanding public awareness, heat mapping campaigns, scientific research, communicating risks to isolated communities, and educating on heat event response. Prioritizes historically disadvantaged communities and those with high incidence of heat-related illnesses. Authorizes $30 million annually for FY 2027-2031.

Amends the Social Security Act to include "home resiliency services" as a Medicare Part B covered service for individuals medically at risk in the event of a climate or man-made disaster. These services, furnished on or after January 1, 2027, include items like heat pumps for individuals vulnerable to extreme temperatures, solar batteries for those reliant on electrical medical equipment, and energy-efficient cold storage for heat-sensitive medical supplies. Payment would be 100% of the lesser of actual charge or fee schedule amount. HHS, in consultation with other agencies, will establish a process to determine "medically at risk" individuals.

Establishes the "National Climate and Health Research and Innovation Initiative" to be carried out by HHS, through the Assistant Secretary for Health. Its purpose is to develop tools, research, and understanding to prevent, treat, and mitigate health harms of climate change. Activities include supporting research on physical/mental health impacts (especially disproportionate impacts), environmental racism, occupational hazards, medical education curricula, climate-related housing issues, and social/economic factors for resilient communities. It also supports R&D for sustainable healthcare operations, emissions reduction, and climate-resilient infrastructure. An Interagency Committee and an Advisory Council are established to coordinate and advise the Initiative, which terminates on December 31, 2036. Authorizes $5 billion annually for FY 2027-2036.