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Bill

HR 9962

To establish a Green New Deal for Health to prepare and empower the health care sector to protect the health and well-being of our workers, our communities, and our planet in the face of the climate crisis, and for other purposes.

119th Congress Introduced by Yvette Clarke and 7 co-sponsors

Establish a Green New Deal for Health to decarbonize and strengthen health care, boost climate resilience, and protect workers and communities from climate risks.

Introduced in House
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 9962

Overview

  • Bill: HR 9962
  • Session: 119
  • Title: To establish a Green New Deal for Health to prepare and empower the health care sector to protect the health and well-being of our workers, our communities, and our planet in the face of the climate crisis, and for other purposes.
  • Status: Introduced and referred to multiple House committees (Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means; Science, Space, and Technology) on 2026-07-27.
  • Primary sponsors: Representatives Maxwell Frost, Rashida Tlaib, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Shri Thanedar, Yvette Clarke, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, Ro Khanna (co-sponsors listed).

Purpose and intent

  • Establish a comprehensive framework—the “Green New Deal for Health” (GNDH)—to align the health care sector with climate resilience and environmental justice goals.
  • Aim to protect and improve public health by reducing climate-related health risks, promoting decarbonization within health care operations, and supporting workers and communities affected by the energy transition.

Key provisions and changes (illustrative framing)

Note: The specific text of HR 9962 is not provided here. Based on the bill’s title and typical elements of a Green New Deal for Health, the bill would likely include several or all of the following areas:

  • Health sector decarbonization and resilience

    • Requirements or incentives for healthcare facilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
    • Upgrades to infrastructure to withstand climate-related events (extreme heat, flood, wildfire smoke).
    • Adoption of energy efficiency standards and on-site clean energy generation.

  • Workforce protection and development

    • Programs to retrain and support health care workers for roles in a decarbonized economy.
    • Job guarantees, wage standards, or benefits related to transitions within the health sector.
    • Workplace safety standards related to climate risks.

  • Public health and community protection

    • Increased funding for climate-resilient health programs, disaster preparedness, and response capacity.
    • Measures to address health disparities exacerbated by climate change, including environmental justice considerations.

  • Financing and incentives

    • Federal funding streams (grants, loans, and subsidies) to healthcare providers for energy projects and resilience upgrades.
    • Possible Medicare/Medicaid-related incentives or requirements to encourage low-emission practices.

  • Research, data, and reporting

    • Data collection on health sector emissions and climate-related health impacts.
    • Reporting requirements for health care entities regarding energy use, emissions, and resilience investments.

  • Intergovernmental coordination

    • Collaboration with state and local governments, tribal nations, and federal agencies on climate-health initiatives.

  • Regulatory and administrative provisions

    • Creation or designation of offices or programs within federal agencies to implement GNDH priorities.
    • Timelines and milestones for implementation.

Who would be affected

  • Federally connected health care providers and systems (hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, networks participating in federal programs).
  • Health care workers and the broader health care workforce, including retraining and employment transition provisions.
  • Patients and communities, particularly those in climate-vulnerable or environmentally burdened areas.
  • Hospitals and health systems receiving federal funding or participating in Medicare/Medicaid programs (if the bill includes related incentives or requirements).
  • State and local governments and tribal health programs collaborating on implementation.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Referral: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce; in addition to Ways and Means and Science, Space, and Technology, for consideration of provisions within their jurisdictions.
  • Introduction: Bill introduced in the House on 2026-07-27.
  • Next steps (typical for such legislation): Committee hearings, markups, and reported amendments; potential floor consideration; possible incorporation into broader climate or health-appropriations packages depending on legislative strategy.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Policy direction shifts health care toward climate preparedness, decarbonization, and environmental justice.
  • Could unlock federal funding and incentives for facility upgrades, renewable energy adoption, and workforce development within health care.
  • Impact magnitude depends on the final text: funding levels, specific requirements for facilities, scopes of programs, and any Medicare/Medicaid-related provisions.
  • Administrative burden on health care providers could vary based on reporting and compliance requirements.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to focus on specific aspects (e.g., funding mechanisms, workforce provisions, or environmental justice components) or compare it to prior similar proposals.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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