Bill > HB1901

This bill establishes the Office of Health Equity within the Pennsylvania Department of Health, aimed at reducing health disparities and addressing social determinants of health. The office will be staffed with a director, an epidemiologist, a biostatistician, and other support staff, and will have broad responsibilities including collecting and analyzing data on health disparities, researching public health strategies, collaborating with various organizations, and developing policies to reduce disparities across multiple health conditions such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, and maternal health. The bill also creates a Health Equity Advisory Committee composed of representatives from academia, healthcare providers, community organizations, and disparate populations, which will provide guidance to the Governor and the Secretary of Health on strategic priorities for eliminating health disparities. Public entities are required to cooperate with the office by providing necessary data, while ensuring confidentiality of personal identifying information. The bill includes protections against unauthorized disclosure of data, with potential misdemeanor charges for improper use or sharing of sensitive information. The Office of Health Equity will be required to produce an annual public report on the status of health disparities and strategies to address them, which will be distributed to key government committees and made available online. The act will take effect 60 days after its passage.

Health and Social Services

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1901