S. 3944: Women’s Heart Health Expansion Act of 2026

This bill reauthorizes through FY2031 and expands a grant program that supports preventive health services (e.g., screenings, referrals) regarding women’s cardiovascular health. This program is known as the Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation of Women Across the Nation (WISEWOMAN) program, which is administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Under current law, only three states may receive a WISEWOMAN grant, and health care providers and recipients of services must participate in the CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program in order to qualify under the WISEWOMAN program. The bill revises the WISEWOMAN program by (1) removing the three-state limitation, (2) allowing providers to participate even if not providing services under the other CDC program (as determined by the CDC), and (3) allowing participation of high-risk women who are not eligible under the other CDC program (based on CDC criteria).

Additionally, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to report to Congress on the work of the WISEWOMAN program.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.