The HEARD Act would expand federal research and public health work on rare diseases that affect minority populations. It directs the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to coordinate research and prepare a plan within one year. The plan would address disease causes, how often diseases occur, screening, treatments, and public and professional education. The bill also provides for grants supporting data collection, community outreach, health professional training, and research participation. It includes grants for Tribal health organizations and requires reports on federal efforts, clinical trial diversity, and Medicare barriers to rare disease care.
People with rare diseases, health professionals, researchers, training programs, and eligible community organizations could benefit from research, education, or grant programs described in the bill. It also creates scholarship and loan repayment programs for certain health professionals who serve populations affected by rare diseases. The bill does not guarantee that any individual or organization will receive a grant or other support.
The bill does not state a total funding amount. It sets loan repayment at up to $50,000 per year, plus an inflation adjustment determined by the Secretary. Scholarship and grant amounts are not specified.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.