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Jayapal introduces bill to protect hospitals from climate disasters
The GREEN Hospitals Act would provide $105B to revive a New Deal-era program to modernize and weatherize health care facilities.
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Staff Reporter - Fri, 07, Aug 2026
- 02:32 EDT
- 28
Pramila Jayapal / x
U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal and Sen. Ed Markey have introduced the GREEN Hospitals Act, legislation aimed at providing $105 billion to strengthen health care facilities as climate change-driven disasters become more frequent and severe across the United States.
"As wildfires, storms, and severe weather become more common because of climate change, our hospitals need to be ready and resilient. I'm introducing the GREEN Hospitals Act with Senator Markey to make sure our hospitals are prepared and more sustainable for the future," Jayapal posted on X.
The GREEN Hospitals Act would provide $105 billion to revive a New Deal-era program to modernize and weatherize health care facilities in order to reduce emissions, protect public health and ensure that more Americans have access to health care before, during and after climate disasters and extreme weather events. Already this year, the United States has experienced 12 climate disasters, costing more than $1 billion and putting health care facilities, patients and workers at risk.
"Climate change is a public health emergency. Power outages, floods, fires, and extreme temperatures threaten hospitals' ability to care for patients in a disaster. Meanwhile, outdated infrastructure contributes to the pollution causing this climate emergency," said Sen. Markey.
As wildfires, storms, and severe weather become more common because of climate change, our hospitals need to be ready and resilient.
— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) August 6, 2026
I’m introducing the GREEN Hospitals Act with Senator Markey to make sure our hospitals are prepared and more sustainable for the future. pic.twitter.com/cxaKwUaT1B
Jayapal said during public health and climate emergencies, Americans depend on reliable health care infrastructure that can withstand tough conditions. "This legislation gives our hospitals the funding and resources they need to be prepared for extreme climate events, expand their ability to provide essential health care, and improve overall sustainability for the future," she said.
Also read: Climate change falls off the political radar even as climate disasters intensify
As the climate crisis brings stronger storms, hotter heat waves and more severe wildfires to communities, the United States' aging medical infrastructure is increasingly at risk. Specifically, the GREEN Hospitals Act would revive the New Deal's Hill-Burton grant program to fund capital projects that increase capacity to provide essential health care and update facilities to become more resilient to climate disasters and public health crises.
The legislation is endorsed by Boston Medical Center, Markey said.
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