House Democrats unveiled this week that their more than $1.5 trillion infrastructure proposal includes $30 billion for hospitals and other healthcare providers.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said she expects the proposal will pass the House before July 4. The White House has expressed interest in securing a major infrastructure package before the 2020 election, but many Senate Republicans aren't supportive of the idea.
Democrats' plan sets aside $30 billion for healthcare sector infrastructure, including money to upgrade hospitals, bolster community health centers, improve clinical laboratory infrastructure, support the Indian Health Service system, and increase capacity for community-based care, according to an outline of the legislation.
"Obviously we've seen that our healthcare infrastructure in the aftermath of COVID, or while the pandemic continues, is in need of major infrastructure overhaul," House Energy & Commerce Chair Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) told reporters Thursday.
The House bill also would also invest $100 billion in high-speed broadband internet access, which could ensure telehealth services are more widely accessible.
