Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2022

Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2022

This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and others to undertake efforts to reduce health disparities.

For example, the bill (1) requires more detailed reporting of demographic and health disparities data, including related to public health emergencies; (2) directs certain components of HHS to support health workforce diversity; and (3) increases access to culturally and linguistically appropriate health care.

The bill also modifies eligibility and other requirements for Medicare, Medicaid, private health insurance, nutrition assistance, and other programs to reduce health disparities among vulnerable populations. The bill includes specific provisions with respect to

• noncitizens;
• maternal, infant, and child health;
• mental and behavioral health;
• specified conditions that disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minority groups, such as certain cancers, HIV/AIDS, kidney disease, and diabetes;
• investments in communities facing health and other inequities; and
• nondiscrimination in the provision of services in federally supported health programs.

Additionally, the bill (1) revises health information technology programs to address health disparities, and (2) supports health impact assessments and other efforts pertaining to environmental justice and social determinants of health (i.e., nonmedical factors that influence health outcomes, such as income and educational attainment).

The bill also requires various studies and reports on issues related to health care and health disparities, including a report by the Government Accountability Office on health workforce diversity.