Introduced in House

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1583 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1583

    Expressing support for the designation of October as ``National 
                          Promotoras Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 24, 2026

Mr. Ruiz (for himself, Mr. Carbajal, Mr. Correa, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, and 
Ms. Lofgren) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                  the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Expressing support for the designation of October as ``National 
                          Promotoras Month''.

Whereas the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities 
        across the United States depend not only on access to care, but also on 
        trust, education, cultural understanding, and outreach;
Whereas promotoras, sometimes known as community health workers, peer educators, 
        health advocates, patient navigators, and cultural liaisons, serve as 
        trusted messengers within their own communities, building critical 
        bridges between historically marginalized populations and the health 
        care and public health systems;
Whereas, for generations and often without formal recognition, promotoras have 
        worked in underserved neighborhoods, rural towns, Tribal nations, border 
        communities, and immigrant and refugee populations to address epidemics, 
        environmental health risks, maternal and child health disparities, and 
        chronic diseases including asthma, diabetes, and heart disease;
Whereas promotoras deliver education, prevention, and support services in 
        linguistically and culturally appropriate ways, meeting people where 
        they are in homes, schools, community centers, places of worship, 
        workplaces, and agricultural settings;
Whereas promotoras are vital to addressing persistent health inequities in rural 
        America, where limited health infrastructure, provider shortages, long 
        travel distances, and digital divides create significant barriers to 
        care and preventive services;
Whereas promotoras have demonstrated cost-effectiveness in reducing emergency 
        room visits, increasing preventive care, and improving chronic disease 
        management, resulting in better health outcomes and reduced health care 
        expenditures;
Whereas, despite their critical frontline contributions and proven impact, many 
        promotoras remain underrecognized and underresourced, with inconsistent 
        training pathways, inadequate compensation, and scarce professional 
        development and institutional support;
Whereas promotoras are a predominantly women-led, multilingual, and 
        multicultural workforce that embodies ``servicio de corazon'' (service 
        from the heart), rooted in lived experience and deep connection to the 
        communities they serve; and
Whereas national and regional organizations have played pivotal roles in 
        organizing, training, and supporting this vital workforce: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the essential contributions of promotoras 
        and community health workers to the health, resilience, and 
        equity of communities across the United States;
            (2) commits to supporting policies that strengthen the 
        promotora workforce, including sustainable funding, workforce 
        development, and equitable compensation;
            (3) encourages collaboration between Federal agencies, 
        States, territories, Tribal Governments, and community-based 
        organizations to invest in and expand promotora-led programs, 
        especially in rural and frontier areas;
            (4) expresses support for the designation of ``National 
        Promotoras Month'' to raise awareness of the invaluable role 
        these workers play in improving community health across the 
        Nation; and
            (5) directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to 
        transmit copies of this resolution to relevant Federal 
        agencies, public health entities, and national community health 
        organizations for appropriate dissemination.
                                 <all>