This bill reauthorizes the school-based health centers grant program with $55 million in annual funding from 2027 through 2031.
Paul Tonko
Representative
NY-20
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the school-based health centers grant program. It secures $55 million in annual funding for these centers from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to support continued student access to essential health services.
School-Based Health Centers Secure $55 Million Annual Funding Through 2031
This bill locks in a steady stream of federal support for school-based health centers by authorizing $55,000,000 in annual grants for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. By amending Section 399Z–1 of the Public Health Service Act, the legislation ensures that the financial infrastructure supporting medical services within K-12 buildings remains intact for the next several years. It is a straightforward extension of existing policy designed to keep clinics running where students already spend most of their day.
Healthcare Where the Kids Are
For a busy parent, this bill represents a major convenience factor. Instead of a shift worker having to clock out early and lose wages to take a child to a clinic across town for a routine check-up or a quick strep test, these centers allow students to be seen right on campus. The $55 million annual price tag is specifically earmarked to keep these facilities staffed and stocked. For a student in a rural district or an underserved urban neighborhood, this might be the only place they see a healthcare professional all year. By securing the budget through 2031, the bill aims to prevent the 'fiscal cliff' scenarios that often lead to reduced hours or shuttered clinics in high-need schools.
Long-Term Stability for Local Districts
Because this bill provides a five-year funding window starting in 2027, school administrators and local health departments can actually plan for the future. In the world of public health, it is hard to hire a full-time nurse or physician assistant if you only know your funding is safe for the next six months. This legislation provides the predictability needed to maintain consistent care. While the bill is technically a renewal of an existing program, its specific dollar amount ensures that the baseline for student health services doesn't shrink, helping schools manage the rising costs of medical supplies and professional staffing without dipping further into their general education budgets.