S. 1234
Community Health Worker Investment Act of 2025
Also known as: "CHW Investment Act"
Sponsored by Sen. Cory Booker (D) · 12 cosponsors
Legislative timeline
Introduced
In committee
Referred to Senate Finance Committee; co-referred to Senate HELP Committee
Last reviewed by our editors: Apr 22, 2026
What this bill does
The Community Health Worker Investment Act would create a permanent Medicaid reimbursement pathway for community health worker (CHW) services, closing a major gap where CHW services are funded through grants rather than as covered Medicaid benefits.
The bill authorizes HHS to develop national CHW competency standards and certification criteria, creates a federal CHW training fund, and requires CMS to publish guidance on implementing CHW Medicaid billing within 18 months. House companion bill is H.R. 3201.
Who benefits
Community health workers, patient navigators, and promotores de salud — largely women of color in low-income communities — who currently work in fragile grant-funded positions. Federally qualified health centers that depend on CHWs for population health management. Medicaid patients in underserved areas lacking care coordination and social support navigation.
Who loses / who opposes
No major opposition has emerged. Some fiscal conservatives oppose expanding Medicaid-covered services. Insurance industry groups are monitoring whether Medicaid CHW billing could create pressure for CHW reimbursement in commercial insurance as well.
Impact on Black communities
Community health workers are one of the most evidence-backed interventions for reducing racial health disparities. A 2021 Lancet meta-analysis found CHW programs reduced all-cause mortality by 20% in underserved communities and reduced preventable hospitalizations by 27%. Black and Latino neighborhoods are disproportionately served by CHWs. Medicaid reimbursement would end the boom-bust grant cycle that causes high turnover and disrupts continuity of care.
What you can do
Contact your senators and ask them to cosponsor S. 1234. This bill has bipartisan potential — CHW programs are valued in rural Republican-represented states as well as urban Democratic districts.
Support the National Association of Community Health Workers (nachw.org) and their federal advocacy campaign for CHW Medicaid reimbursement.