Equal Health Care for All Act
- Last Action
- 12/17/2024
Actions
- 2024-12-17Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 2023-05-05Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 2023-05-02Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2023-05-02Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2023-05-02Introduced in House
- 2023-05-02Introduced in House
CRS Summary
As of 2023-05-02 (00)
Equal Health Care for All Act
This bill prohibits discrimination in health care based on race, religion, and other characteristics. It also revises reporting requirements, adds equity-related measures to certain Medicare programs, and makes other changes to reduce health disparities.
To enforce the prohibition, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must establish an administrative process to resolve complaints about inequitable health care. HHS must investigate these complaints and mediate agreements to resolve issues. In the event of noncompliance with a mediated agreement, an aggrieved individual may bring a civil action.
Health care providers must also report data in formats that allow disaggregation by demographic factors. HHS must issue proposed regulations to carry out this requirement within 90 days.
Additionally, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must include measures related to equitable health care in the Medicare value-based purchasing program for hospitals. This program provides incentive payments based on quality of care. The CMS may exclude providers that furnish inequitable health care from its programs.
The bill also establishes (1) the Federal Health Equity Commission to monitor implementation of the bill, and (2) grants for hospitals to promote equitable health care.
Cosponsors (20)
- Shontel Brown (D-OH)
- Cori Bush (D-MO)
- Yvette Clarke (D-NY)
- Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ)
- ELEANOR NORTON (D-DC)
- BARBARA LEE (D-CA)
- Kevin Mullin (D-CA)
- JERROLD NADLER (D-NY)
- Donald Payne (D-NJ)
- Mike Quigley (D-IL)
- Mary Scanlon (D-PA)
- Terri Sewell (D-AL)
- ADAM SMITH (D-WA)
- Mark Takano (D-CA)
- BENNIE THOMPSON (D-MS)
- NYDIA VELAZQUEZ (D-NY)
- Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ)
- Henry Johnson (D-GA)
- Jamaal Bowman (D-NY)
- André Carson (D-IN)
Subjects
- Administrative law and regulatory procedures
- Administrative remedies
- Advisory bodies
- Civil actions and liability
- Congressional oversight
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Disability and health-based discrimination
- Executive agency funding and structure
- Government information and archives
- Government studies and investigations
- Health care coverage and access
- Health care quality
- Health facilities and institutions
- Health information and medical records
- Health programs administration and funding
- Hospital care
- Licensing and registrations
- Medicaid
- Medicare
Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.