Community Access to Treatment and Care for Health through Increased Testing Act; CATCH IT Act
Summary
The CATCH IT Act aims to improve healthcare access in rural areas by increasing the federal share of costs for preventative health care equipment purchased through the Community Facilities Grant Program of the Department of Agriculture. This bill amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to provide an additional 25 percentage point increase in the federal share for facilities that include the purchase or upgrade of preventative health care equipment. The Act defines preventative health care equipment to include advanced breast imaging, mobile cancer screening units, laboratory equipment for cancer detection, colorectal cancer screening equipment, CT scanners, and diagnostic ultrasound equipment.
Expected Effects
The Act will likely result in improved access to preventative healthcare services in rural communities. Rural health facilities will find it more affordable to acquire and upgrade essential medical equipment. This could lead to earlier detection and treatment of diseases, particularly cancer, and improved overall health outcomes for rural populations.
Potential Benefits
- Improved access to advanced medical equipment in rural areas.
- Potential for earlier and more accurate disease detection.
- Reduced financial burden on rural health facilities for equipment upgrades.
- Enhanced healthcare services for underserved populations.
- Support for the agricultural communities through improved health infrastructure.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased demand on the Community Facilities Grant Program, possibly straining resources.
- The definition of 'preventative health care equipment' might need periodic updates to reflect technological advancements.
- The effectiveness of the Act depends on the efficient administration of the grant program.
- There is no guarantee that facilities will utilize the grants effectively or equitably.
- The Act does not address other barriers to healthcare access, such as transportation or workforce shortages.
Constitutional Alignment
The CATCH IT Act appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause, as it aims to improve the health and well-being of citizens in rural areas. Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 of the Constitution grants Congress the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States. By increasing federal support for rural healthcare facilities, the Act can be seen as an effort to promote the general welfare.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).