Thyroid Disease CARE Act Authorizes $33M Annually for Research and Awareness, Focusing on Disparities

The new Thyroid Disease Coverage, Awareness, Research, and Education Act of 2025—or the CARE Act—is setting aside serious federal resources to tackle a common but often misunderstood health issue. Starting in fiscal year 2026 and running through 2030, the bill authorizes $33 million annually for research, analysis, and a national public awareness campaign focused on thyroid disease, which includes everything from function disorders to thyroid cancer.

This isn't just a research grant; it’s a targeted effort to fill major knowledge gaps. The bill mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) spend $30 million per year on research covering root causes, better diagnostic techniques, and treatments. For anyone who has struggled with symptoms despite "normal" lab results, Section 2 is key: it specifically requires research into the effects of thyroid disease, including subclinical hypothyroidism, in patients who still experience symptoms even after getting a clean bill of health on paper.

Where the Money Goes: Researching the Real-World Impact

One of the most important parts of this bill is its laser focus on health equity. The research program must investigate disparities in thyroid disease and cancer by race, ethnicity, sex, geography, insurance status, and more. Think about a woman in a rural area who has to drive five hours to see a specialist, or someone whose symptoms are dismissed because of implicit bias; the bill aims to understand and address these barriers.

Separately, the bill authorizes another $30 million annually for five years for a deep-dive analysis into these research gaps and disproportionate impacts. This analysis will pull data from places like state Medicaid programs, Medicare, and private insurance companies, essentially forcing a look under the hood of our healthcare system to see why some groups are getting worse outcomes. To make this happen, HHS can request specific data from group health plans and state Medicaid programs regarding patient barriers, such as lack of coverage or high cost-sharing requirements.

The Awareness Campaign: Talking to Patients and Doctors

Beyond funding research, the CARE Act sets aside $3 million per year for a national public awareness campaign. This campaign has two audiences. For the general public, it will focus on recognizing signs and symptoms, treatment options, and the specific disparities identified in the research—with a special emphasis on women, who are disproportionately affected by thyroid issues. This means better information for busy people trying to figure out why they’re exhausted or gaining weight.

The second audience is healthcare providers. The campaign will share evidence-based information with doctors and health systems to promote better detection, diagnosis, and care. Crucially, Section 4 includes a mandate to enhance the prevention of implicit bias in care delivery. This is a direct acknowledgement that better data alone isn't enough; the people delivering the care need better training to ensure fair treatment for all patients.

What This Means for You

If you or someone you know deals with thyroid issues, this bill represents a significant investment in getting better answers and better care. It’s not just about finding a cure; it’s about improving the quality of life for survivors and ensuring that diagnosis and treatment are equitable, regardless of who you are or where you live. The requirement for HHS to submit preliminary and final reports to Congress and the public by the end of fiscal year 2030 means that the results of this five-year investment will be transparent and available for everyone to see.