Bill > S4819

This bill, the Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2020, aims to improve health equity and reduce health disparities experienced by racial and ethnic minorities and other underserved populations in the United States. The key provisions of the bill include: Data Collection and Reporting: The bill requires federal agencies and health programs that receive federal funding to collect and report data on race, ethnicity, sex, primary language, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and socioeconomic status. This is intended to improve the ability to identify and address health disparities. Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Health Care: The bill establishes standards for culturally and linguistically appropriate health care services, including requirements for health care providers and organizations to offer language assistance services, provide translated materials, and implement strategies to promote diversity and cultural competence in their workforce. Health Workforce Diversity: The bill includes provisions to support the recruitment, training, and retention of underrepresented minorities in the health professions through scholarship and fellowship programs, as well as grants to academic institutions and community organizations. Expansion of Access to Care: The bill seeks to increase access to health care services in underserved communities through initiatives such as the establishment of health empowerment zones, grants for community health outreach, and policies to improve network adequacy and coverage for Medicaid, CHIP, and Medicare beneficiaries. Improving Health Outcomes for Women, Children, and Families: The bill contains numerous provisions to address maternal mortality and morbidity, promote sexual and reproductive health, and support families, including extending Medicaid/CHIP coverage for pregnant and postpartum individuals, funding for maternal mortality review committees, and grants for evidence-based home visiting programs. Mental Health: The bill aims to improve access to culturally-appropriate mental health services and address racial and ethnic disparities in mental health outcomes, including through coverage of marriage and family therapist, mental health counselor, and peer support specialist services under Medicare. Addressing High-Impact Minority Diseases: The bill includes provisions to support research, treatment, and education for conditions that disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minorities, such as cancer, viral hepatitis, acquired bone marrow failure diseases, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. Overall, the Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2020 is a comprehensive bill focused on using a multipronged approach to advance health equity and improve health outcomes for underserved populations in the United States.

Budget and Finance

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/4819/all-info