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HR10448FEDERALFederal Billfiled

High Impact

The Combating Loneliness Act (H.R. 10448)

Original title: Combating Loneliness Act

Record date · December 17, 2024

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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Public stanceCommunity reactions are separate from the official record and reporting.

What This Bill Would Do

This bill proposes a wide-ranging federal strategy to reduce loneliness and social isolation through new grant programs, expanded mental health services, and increased funding for community infrastructure. It includes provisions to integrate community health workers into Medicare and Medicaid, provide student loan forgiveness for mental health professionals, and increase support for school-based mental health programs.

Why it matters

If enacted, this legislation would authorize billions of dollars in new federal spending over five years to create '' community facilities, fund social infrastructure projects, and expand the mental health workforce, directly impacting the availability of social and clinical support services for seniors, youth, and underserved populations.

Background

Ms. Balint and Mr. Tonko are members of the U.S. House of Representatives. context

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Community Health Workers

Their services become eligible for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, and they are added to the National Health Service Corps loan repayment program.

Directly affected

Mental Health Professionals

Eligible for up to $75,000 in student loan repayment in exchange for service in designated shortage areas.

Directly affected

State and Local Governments

Eligible to apply for competitive federal grants to fund community programs and social infrastructure.

Directly affected

Older Adults

The bill adds 'loneliness' to the Older Americans Act, potentially increasing focus and resources for this demographic.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a 'third-space' under this bill?

A '' refers to community facilities like libraries, senior centers, childcare centers, or recreation centers that bring people together.

Does this bill provide direct payments to individuals?

No, the bill provides grants to state/local governments and organizations, and offers student loan repayment for mental health professionals who commit to working in shortage areas.

When would Medicare and Medicaid start covering community health worker services?

Coverage is scheduled to begin on October 1, 2026.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

Currently filed. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Committee.

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Discoveries

1 pattern noticed across the record

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Integration of Social and Clinical Care

The bill marks a significant policy shift by formally integrating community health worker services into the clinical reimbursement structures of Medicare and Medicaid.

Medicare Medicaid Community Health Workers