To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to long-term care and post-acute care providers for purposes of developing and adopting health information technology.

119th Congress Introduced by Emanuel Cleaver

HR 9844 would create HHS grants to long-term and post-acute care providers to plan, implement, and maintain health IT improving interoperability, data sharing, and care quality.

Introduced in House

Summary of Bill: HR 9844 (119th Congress)

Purpose and intent

HR 9844 directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to long-term care and post-acute care (LTC/PAC) providers.

The primary objective is to assist these providers in developing and adopting health information technology (health IT).

Key provisions and changes

Grant program establishment: Requires HHS to create a grant program targeted at LTC and PAC providers.

Development and adoption of health IT: Grants may be used to support activities such as planning, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of health IT systems. The emphasis is on technologies that enhance interoperability, data sharing, and electronic health records within LTC/PAC settings.

Eligible recipients: Long-term care facilities and post-acute care providers (e.g., skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, and similar entities) that deliver care to beneficiaries covered by federal programs.

Potential use of funds:

Assessing current IT capabilities and needs.
Procuring and implementing health IT systems (e.g., EHRs, interoperability platforms, health information exchange capabilities).
Training staff and ensuring user competency.
Supporting data governance, privacy, and security measures consistent with federal requirements.
Activities to improve care coordination, reporting, quality measurement, and patient safety outcomes.

Performance measures and reporting: Likely required to report on grant outcomes, milestones achieved, and how funds improved IT capacity and care delivery, though exact metrics would appear in the implementing guidance.

Funding period and administration: The bill would authorize the grant program through the HHS; specifics on funding levels, duration, and allocation methodology would be established in the final text or accompanying appropriations.

Who would be affected

Primary beneficiaries: LTC and PAC providers seeking to upgrade or adopt health IT capabilities.

Indirect beneficiaries: Patients within LTC/PAC settings, as improved IT systems can enhance care coordination, continuity of care, accuracy of records, and overall quality of care.

Federal agencies: HHS would administer the grant program, monitor compliance, and collect performance data.

Stakeholders: Health IT vendors serving LTC/PAC providers, state health departments, and any entities assisting providers with implementation and training.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced: July 22, 2026.

Referred to:

House Committee on Energy and Commerce
House Committee on Ways and Means (for provisions within their jurisdiction)

Legislative path: As a bill, it would require committee consideration, potential amendments, and passage by the House, followed by Senate action and potential presidential signature. Specific funding authorizations and program details would be refined through committee reports and appropriations processes.

Notes

The sponsor (co-sponsor Emanuel Cleaver) indicates bipartisan sponsorship, though party affiliations are not specified here.

The summary reflects the bill’s stated aim to bolster health IT adoption in LTC/PAC settings as a means to improve care quality, data interoperability, and operational efficiency.