H.R.1647 - Tribal Climate Health Assurance Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1647, the Tribal Climate Health Assurance Act of 2025, aims to amend the Public Health Service Act. It mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services, via the CDC Director, to implement the Climate Ready Tribes Initiative. This initiative is designed to assist Tribal governments and communities in addressing the health impacts of climate change.
The bill allocates $110 million annually from fiscal year 2026 onwards for this purpose. These funds are specifically earmarked for the Climate Ready Tribes Initiative and cannot be transferred to other programs.
The Act focuses on translating climate science, creating decision-support tools, and mitigating climate-related health threats within Tribal communities.
Expected Effects
The bill's enactment would lead to the establishment of a formal framework for addressing climate-related health issues in Tribal communities. It would provide resources and support for these communities to prepare for and mitigate the health impacts of climate change.
Specifically, the Climate Ready Tribes Initiative would be implemented by the CDC in coordination with the National Indian Health Board. This would likely involve new programs, research, and resource allocation targeted at Tribal health concerns related to climate change.
Furthermore, the dedicated funding stream would ensure a sustained effort in this area, preventing resources from being diverted to other priorities.
Potential Benefits
- Improved public health outcomes in Tribal communities by addressing climate-related health threats.
- Enhanced capacity of Tribal governments and health departments to prepare for climate change.
- Increased availability of resources and information related to climate change and health for Tribal communities.
- Promotion of collaboration between federal agencies, Tribal governments, and the National Indian Health Board.
- Support for translating climate science into actionable strategies for Tribal communities.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for bureaucratic inefficiencies in implementing the initiative.
- Risk of funds not being effectively utilized if programs are poorly designed or managed.
- Possible overlap or duplication of efforts with existing climate change or public health programs.
- Concerns about the long-term sustainability of the program if funding is not maintained in future years.
- Limited scope, focusing solely on Tribal communities and potentially neglecting other vulnerable populations.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the General Welfare Clause of the US Constitution (Preamble). This clause allows Congress to enact laws that promote the well-being of the population. The bill also aligns with the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8), as climate change and public health can be argued to have interstate impacts.
Furthermore, the bill acknowledges the unique relationship between the federal government and Native American tribes, which has been established through treaties and court decisions. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
However, the allocation of funds could be subject to scrutiny under the Spending Clause (Article I, Section 8), which requires that appropriations be for the general welfare and not unduly benefit specific interests.
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).