Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) Nov. 27 introduced the Health Equity and Accountability Act (HEAA, S. 3660). The HEAA addresses health care disparities experienced by communities of color, rural communities, and other underserved populations by improving culturally appropriate care and data collection and reporting.
In addition to the provisions above, the HEAA strives the strengthen the health care workforce by including:
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A section on “Health Workforce Diversity” that will authorize expanded and sustained financial support for the Health Resources and Services’ Title VII health professions and Title VIII nursing workforce development programs;
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A program in which institutions work with local communities to improve health equity; and
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A “Sense of Congress” to address the physician shortage in the United States by eliminating the cap on Medicare support for graduate medical education.
Representative Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) introduced corresponding legislation, H.R. 5942, in the House of Representatives with support from the Congressional Tri-Caucus.