Us Congress Senate Bill SB2899

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 9/21/23
• Refer: 9/21/23

Caption

Health Equity and MENA Community Inclusion Act of 2023 Health Equity and Middle Eastern and North African Community Inclusion Act of 2023

Impact

The bill seeks to enhance health equity by allowing for better-targeted health programs and policies that address the specific health patterns and outcomes of MENA populations in the United States. It mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a comprehensive study to identify health disparities and outcomes among MENA individuals. The studies will consider various health metrics, including obesity, diabetes, and mental health conditions, leading to more inclusive health services tailored to the needs of this community.

Summary

SB2899, also known as the Health Equity and MENA Community Inclusion Act of 2023, proposes to amend the Public Health Service Act to formally include Middle Easterners and North Africans (MENA) in the definition of 'racial and ethnic minority group'. This inclusion aims to address the inadequacies in federal health policies that have historically overlooked MENA populations, thereby preventing them from accessing critical health resources similar to other minority groups.

Contention

There are notable discussions surrounding the validity of including MENA populations within the scope of racial and ethnic minority health. Critics may argue that this change could alter the federal healthcare landscape significantly and question the necessity of new definitions given existing categories. Supporters argue that this amendment is crucial for addressing the underrepresented health needs and disparities faced by MENA individuals that have historically been obscured by existing categorizations that lump them with non-Hispanic White populations.