Legislation and Policy
Legislation and Policy to Address Health Disparities
H. R. 8178 – The Anti-Racism in Public Health Act of 2020
Introduced on Sept. 4, 2020, by Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-13) and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The Anti-Racism in Public Health Act would create a Center on Anti-Racism in Health at the CDC, improving the federal government’s ability to develop anti-racist health policy. The bill would also create a Law Enforcement Violence Prevention Program at the CDC.
H.R.6763 – COVID-19 Racial and Ethnic Disparities Task Force Act of 2020
Introduced by Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL-2) on May 8, 2020, and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
S. 3721 – COVID-19 Racial and Ethnic Disparities Task Force Act of 2020
Introduced by Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) on May 13, 2020, and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
These two bills (H.R. 6763 and S. 3721) would establish the COVID-19 Racial and Ethnic Disparities Task Force within the Department of Health and Human Services and set forth its duties and membership. The task force would be required to provide to Congress and relevant federal agencies reports and recommendations related to racial and ethnic disparities in the COVID-19 response.
S. 4262 – COVID-19 Health Disparities Action Act of 2020
Introduced by several senators on July 22, 2020, and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop an action plan, make targeted grants, and develop public awareness campaigns with respect to COVID–19 and the disproportionate impact of the COVID–19 pandemic on racial and ethnic minorities and other vulnerable populations.
H.R.6637 – Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2020
Introduced by Rep. Jesus G. Garcia (D-IL-4) and the Tri-Caucus on April 28, 2020, and referred to House – Energy and Commerce; Agriculture; Oversight and Reform; Ways and Means; Education and Labor; Judiciary; Budget; Veterans’ Affairs; Natural Resources; Armed Services; Homeland Security. The HEAA would seek to address disparities by promoting culturally appropriate care, data collection, and reporting.
Healthcare Equity Guidelines for the 116th Congress
Legislative Actions to Reduce Health Disparities
Achieving Health Equity in the United States – Public Health Policies and Advocacy