Skip to main content
H.R. 6637 116th Congress House

Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2020

Official title: To improve the health of minority individuals, and for other purposes.

Introduced: April 28, 2020 Introduced by: Jesús G. "Chuy" García Democratic · Illinois See on congress.gov
Health Academic performance and assessmentsAccounting and auditingAdministrative law and regulatory proceduresAdvisory bodies
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Alaska Natives and HawaiiansAllied health servicesAmerican SamoaAppropriationsAssault and harassment offensesBirth defectsBlood and blood diseasesBorder security and unlawful immigrationBudget deficits and national debtBudget processCancerCardiovascular and respiratory healthCaribbean areaCensus and government statisticsChild care and developmentChild healthCommunity life and organizationComputers and information technologyCongressional oversightConsumer affairsCorrectional facilities and imprisonmentCrime victimsCrimes against womenCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationCriminal justice information and recordsDental careDepartment of Health and Human ServicesDigestive and metabolic diseasesDisability and health-based discriminationDisability and paralysisDrug therapyDrug, alcohol, tobacco useEducation of the disadvantagedEducation programs fundingElementary and secondary educationEmergency medical services and trauma careEmployment and training programsEnvironmental healthEnvironmental regulatory proceduresExecutive agency funding and structureFamily planning and birth controlFamily relationshipsFirearms and explosivesForeign aid and international reliefForeign laborForeign language and bilingual programsGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsGuamGulf of MexicoHIV/AIDSHawaiiHazardous wastes and toxic substancesHealth care costs and insuranceHealth care coverage and accessHealth care qualityHealth facilities and institutionsHealth information and medical recordsHealth personnelHealth programs administration and fundingHealth promotion and preventive careHealth technology, devices, suppliesHereditary and development disordersHigher educationHospital careImmigrant health and welfareImmigration status and proceduresImmunology and vaccinationIndian social and development programsInfectious and parasitic diseasesInflation and pricesIntergovernmental relationsLabor standardsMarshall IslandsMedicaidMedical educationMedical ethicsMedical researchMedical tests and diagnostic methodsMedicareMental healthMicronesiaMinority educationMinority healthMusculoskeletal and skin diseasesNorthern Mariana IslandsOceaniaPalauPrescription drugsPuerto RicoRacial and ethnic relationsRadiationRefugees, asylum, displaced personsResearch and developmentRural conditions and developmentSales and excise taxesSex and reproductive healthSex offensesSex, gender, sexual orientation discriminationSexually transmitted diseasesState and local government operationsStudent aid and college costsSurgery and anesthesiaTeaching, teachers, curriculaU.S. territories and protectoratesViolent crimeVirgin IslandsVisas and passportsWomen's healthWorker safety and health
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 6 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 9, 2020
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.
Jul 9, 2020
Referred to the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States.
Jun 1, 2020
Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations.
Apr 28, 2020
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Oversight and Reform, Ways and Means, Education and Labor, the Judiciary, the Budget, Veterans' Affairs, Natural Resources, Armed Services, and Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Apr 28, 2020
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E403-404)
Apr 28, 2020
Introduced in House
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Latest action July 9, 2020

Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2020

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, (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, 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; and specified conditions that disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minority groups, such as certain cancers, HIV/AIDs, kidney disease, and diabetes.

Additionally, the bill (1) revises health information technology programs to address health disparities; (2) establishes an Office of Health Disparities within HHS, as well as civil rights compliance offices within HHS agencies; and (3) supports health impact assessments and other efforts pertaining to environmental justice and social determinants of health.

The Government Accountability Office must report on health workforce diversity and other specified issues related to health care and health disparities.

 Related & companion bills 38
  • HR 6075 Immigrants’ Mental Health Act of 2020
  • HR 945 Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2019
  • HR 1114 To require the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service to submit to Congress an annual report on the effects of gu…
  • HR 1966 Henrietta Lacks Enhancing Cancer Research Act of 2019
  • HR 2826 Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act
  • HR 4243 Rural MOMS Act
  • HR 4543 Reducing Mental Health Stigma in the Hispanic Community Act of 2019
  • HR 5469 Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act
  • S 286 Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2019
  • S 916 MOMMA’s Act
Show all 38 related billsShow fewer related bills
  • S 946 Henrietta Lacks Enhancing Cancer Research Act of 2019
  • S 948 Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act
  • S 1122 Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2019
  • S 1361 A bill to amend the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 respecting the scoring of preventive health savings.
  • S 1524 Real Education for Healthy Youth Act of 2019
  • S 1530 Youth Access to Sexual Health Services Act of 2019
  • S 1805 Better Tools for Healthy Living Act
  • S 2097 Protecting Sensitive Locations Act
  • S 2218 Covering our FAS Allies Act
  • S 2373 Rural MOMS Act
  • S 2986 Social Determinants Accelerator Act of 2019
  • HR 1109 Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2020
  • HR 1897 MOMMA’s Act
  • HR 2584 To amend the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 respecting the scoring of preventive health savings.
  • HR 2701 Youth Access to Sexual Health Services Act of 2019
  • HR 2720 Real Education for Healthy Youth Act of 2019
  • HR 2895 Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act
  • HR 3109 GEDI Act
  • HR 3776 Correcting Hurtful and Alienating Names in Government Expression (CHANGE) Act
  • HR 4004 Social Determinants Accelerator Act of 2019
  • HR 4821 Covering our FAS Allies Act
  • HR 6178 EQUIP Act of 2020
  • HR 9004 Removing Barriers to SNAP Act
  • HR 9005 Health Workforce Diversity Act
  • HR 9006 Inclusive Clinical Trials Act
  • HR 9007 Inclusive Diabetes Research and Education Act
  • HR 9008 Health and Nutrition Access for All Act
  • S 4819 Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2020
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 14
 Cosponsors 105
All 105 Democratic 66
D
Sherman, Brad
California · Dec 10, 2020
Levin, Andy
· Sep 22, 2020
 D
Lynch, Stephen F.
Massachusetts · Sep 22, 2020
 D
DeSaulnier, Mark
California · Aug 14, 2020
 D
Jeffries, Hakeem S.
New York · Aug 14, 2020
Luria, Elaine
· Aug 14, 2020
 D
Pingree, Chellie
Maine · Aug 14, 2020
Ruppersberger, C.
· Aug 14, 2020
Cox, TJ
· Jun 26, 2020
 D
Craig, Angie
Minnesota · Jun 26, 2020
 D
Frankel, Lois
Florida · Jun 26, 2020
 D
Larson, John B.
Connecticut · Jun 26, 2020
 D
Raskin, Jamie
Maryland · Jun 26, 2020
RYAN, TIM
· Jun 26, 2020
 D
Scott, David
Georgia · Jun 26, 2020
 D
Suozzi, Thomas R.
New York · Jun 26, 2020
 D
DelBene, Suzan K.
Washington · Jun 11, 2020
Deutch, Theodore
· Jun 11, 2020
Kilmer, Derek
· Jun 11, 2020
 D
Clark, Katherine M.
Massachusetts · May 28, 2020
 D
Boyle, Brendan F.
Pennsylvania · May 8, 2020
Lawrence, Brenda
· May 8, 2020
 D
Panetta, Jimmy
California · May 8, 2020
Blumenauer, Earl
· May 1, 2020
Demings, Val
· May 1, 2020
Gabbard, Tulsi
· May 1, 2020
 D
Waters, Maxine
California · May 1, 2020
 D
Barragán, Nanette Diaz
California · Apr 28, 2020
Bass, Karen
· Apr 28, 2020
 D
Beatty, Joyce
Ohio · Apr 28, 2020
 D
Bishop, Sanford D.
Georgia · Apr 28, 2020
 D
Blunt Rochester, Lisa
Delaware · Apr 28, 2020
 D
Bonamici, Suzanne
Oregon · Apr 28, 2020
Brown, Anthony
· Apr 28, 2020
Butterfield, G. K.
· Apr 28, 2020
 D
Carbajal, Salud O.
California · Apr 28, 2020
Cárdenas, Tony
· Apr 28, 2020
 D
Carson, André
Indiana · Apr 28, 2020
 D
Casten, Sean
Illinois · Apr 28, 2020
 D
Castor, Kathy
Florida · Apr 28, 2020
 D
Castro, Joaquin
Texas · Apr 28, 2020
 D
Chu, Judy
California · Apr 28, 2020
 D
Clarke, Yvette D.
New York · Apr 28, 2020
 D
Correa, J. Luis
California · Apr 28, 2020
 D
Davis, Danny K.
Illinois · Apr 28, 2020
DAVIS, SUSAN
· Apr 28, 2020
 D
Doggett, Lloyd
Texas · Apr 28, 2020
ENGEL, ELIOT
· Apr 28, 2020
 D
Escobar, Veronica
Texas · Apr 28, 2020
 D
Espaillat, Adriano
New York · Apr 28, 2020
Page 1 of 3 Next
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 6637: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2020. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-6637/
MLA
"H.R. 6637: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2020." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-6637/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 6637, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-6637/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 6637: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2020](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-6637/)
Report a problem