Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2020

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IntroducedPassed one chamberPassed both chambersBecame law (gold)Resolution agreed to (full, dark)Failed or vetoed (gray)

Under the number: the Yea · Nay count of its final (or latest) recorded vote. On a member's page, the small badge is how that member voted: Y Yea / Aye, N Nay / No, P Present, – Not voting.

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Never voted on. It didn't reach a floor vote before the 116th Congress ended, so it expired. A bill has to be introduced again to be considered in a new Congress.

D GarcíaSponsor

106 cosponsors · 106 D

79 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.

This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and others to undertake efforts to reduce health disparities.

What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in House · Apr 28, 2020

Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2020

This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and others to undertake efforts to reduce health disparities.

For example, the bill (1) requires more detailed reporting of demographic and health disparities data, (2) directs certain components of HHS to support health workforce diversity, and (3) increases access to culturally and linguistically appropriate health care.

The bill also modifies eligibility and other requirements for Medicare, Medicaid, private health insurance, and other programs to reduce health disparities among vulnerable populations. The bill includes specific provisions with respect to noncitizens; maternal, infant, and child health; mental and behavioral health; and specified conditions that disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minority groups, such as certain cancers, HIV/AIDs, kidney disease, and diabetes.

Additionally, the bill (1) revises health information technology programs to address health disparities; (2) establishes an Office of Health Disparities within HHS, as well as civil rights compliance offices within HHS agencies; and (3) supports health impact assessments and other efforts pertaining to environmental justice and social determinants of health.

The Government Accountability Office must report on health workforce diversity and other specified issues related to health care and health disparities.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov

About this bill and sources

Official title: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2020

Latest action (Jul 9, 2020): Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.

Policy area: Health · Origin: House · Introduced: Apr 28, 2020

Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)

No recorded floor vote found.