Bill > HR9161

This bill aims to improve health equity and address disparities in health outcomes, particularly for racial and ethnic minority populations, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and other underserved communities. The key provisions of the bill include: Data Collection and Reporting: The bill requires federal agencies to collect and report health data disaggregated by race, ethnicity, sex, primary language, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability status, and socioeconomic status to better identify and address disparities. It also establishes a Commission on Ensuring Data for Health Equity to provide guidance on improving data collection and usage. Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Health Care: The bill requires health programs receiving federal funding to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services, including access to qualified interpreters and translated materials. It also establishes a center to assist providers with language access services. Health Workforce Diversity: The bill includes provisions to increase diversity in the health workforce through scholarships, fellowships, loan repayment programs, and support for minority-serving institutions and community-based organizations. It also requires the integration of culturally and linguistically appropriate training into graduate medical education. Expanding Access to Care: The bill addresses barriers to accessing care, such as by expanding Medicaid coverage for low-income adults in non-expansion states, eliminating the 5-year waiting period for Medicaid/CHIP eligibility for lawfully present immigrants, and increasing funding for community health centers and rural health initiatives. Improving Maternal Health: The bill invests in initiatives to improve maternal health outcomes and address disparities, including supporting state-based perinatal quality collaboratives, extending postpartum Medicaid/CHIP coverage to 12 months, funding doula services, and establishing a maternity care home demonstration program. Addressing Social Determinants of Health: The bill creates new grant programs and directives for federal agencies to address social determinants of health, such as housing, nutrition, transportation, and environmental factors that contribute to health inequities. Overall, the bill takes a comprehensive approach to advancing health equity through enhanced data collection, culturally appropriate care, workforce diversification, access expansion, maternal health improvements, and social determinants-focused initiatives.