Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Bicycle Infrastructure

Senate Health Bill Approved: What it Means for Transportation

After 14 months of drama, deal-making, and declarations of its demise, the health care legislation envisioned by President Obama and congressional Democrats finally cleared its biggest hurdle last night, with the House approving the Senate-passed measure on a 219-212 vote.

crosswalkphoto.jpgSafe Routes to School programs, such as this one, could see a boost from the health bill's grant program. (Photo: CA DOT)

The process isn't quite finished yet -- the Senate still must take up a series of tweaks to its original bill under the filibuster-proof reconciliation framework for debate -- but the meat of the upper chamber's health proposal is set to become law by week's end.

Once that occurs, a new pool of federal "Community Transformation" grants would be established, with local governments and nonprofit groups eligible for a share of the funding. As Streetsblog Capitol Hill noted back in November, the grants would go towards projects that support public health, including "activities to prevent chronic diseases" and "the infrastructure to support active living."

In practice, that could result in new funding available for bike-ped improvements or programs that encourage safe transportation for young students, such as Safe Routes to School.

The Senate bill also recognizes transportation's role in public health by giving the U.S. DOT a seat on a new National Prevention, Health Promotion and Public Health Council that would coordinate federal wellness policy.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

The Missing Ingredients in America’s ‘Minimobility’ Revolution

Cargo trikes, GEMs, bike rickshaws, and other light electric vehicles could help wean America off cars — but a new grant that could help cities encourage their adoption is being paused by the Trump administration.

February 11, 2025

Who Benefits from Trump ‘Birthrate’ Funding Scheme? Wealthier, Whiter Drivers

This prioritization lacks evidence of how it will meet the memo’s stated purpose to “bolster the American economy and benefit the American people.”

February 11, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines Man the Barricades

After the deadly New Year's Eve truck attack in New Orleans, how can cities better protect pedestrians from increasingly heavy and powerful vehicles?

February 11, 2025

Op-Ed: Amtrak Isn’t Profitable — And That’s Okay

"As a for-profit company, Amtrak fails ... spectacularly. As a government agency, created half a century ago to carry out a public purpose recognized in law and in Supreme Court rulings, it is a spectacular success worth celebrating, supporting, and building up."

February 10, 2025

Sustainable Transportation Research Is Snagged In Trump’s Anti-‘DEI’ Dragnet

President Trump's war on efforts to boost diversity, equity and inclusion is taking important mobility justice research down with it.

February 10, 2025
See all posts