Bill > H1517

This bill establishes an Office of Health Equity within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to coordinate state efforts to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities, which are defined as differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden of diseases and adverse health conditions among specific racial and ethnic groups. The bill amends existing laws to include the director of this new office in relevant committees and advisory boards, including the Health Facilities Appeals Board and the Health Disparities Council, which will now advise the Office of Health Equity. The Office will be responsible for setting goals, developing annual plans, collaborating with other state agencies to address social determinants of health like housing, education, and transportation, evaluating program effectiveness, and producing an annual report card on the Commonwealth's progress in reducing these disparities, including holding public hearings to gather input.