What does Preamble of Equal Health Care for All Act do?

This bill, formally titled 'To prohibit discrimination in health care and require the provision of equitable health care, and for other purposes,' aims to prohibit discrimination in health care. The bill also seeks to require the provision of equitable health care.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Equal Health Care for All Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Equal Health Care for All Act.

What does FINDINGS. of Equal Health Care for All Act do?

This section establishes findings related to health care inequity. It highlights Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s statement about the severity of health care injustice. The text notes that inequity in health care persists, particularly in communities of color. Complex causes of inequitable health care provision are attributed to systemic inequalities in various areas, including access to housing, nutrition, and education. Health care outcomes for Black communities are significantly worse than those of the general population. Explicit and implicit bias in health care delivery are identified as contributing factors to disparities. A 2002 report by the National Academy of Medicine found that racial and ethnic minorities receive lower-quality health care. The section draws a parallel to efforts to eliminate bias in employment and housing, emphasizing the importance of addressing bias in health care.

What does DATA COLLECTION AND REPORTING. of Equal Health Care for All Act do?

This section mandates data collection and reporting on health outcomes from healthcare providers and facilities. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is required to issue regulations requiring providers to disaggregate data by demographic characteristics such as race, national origin, sex, disability, and age. The Secretary must consult with several directors and administrators to develop these regulations. Proposed regulations must be issued within 90 days of the Act's enactment. A repository of the disaggregated data will be established within one year of enactment. The repository must ensure that no individually identifiable data is included.

What does REQUIRING EQUITABLE HEALTH CARE IN THE HOSPITAL VALUE-BASED of Equal Health Care for All Act do?

This section amends the Social Security Act to require the Secretary to adopt measures related to equitable health care furnished by hospitals in inpatient settings within the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program. These measures will be effective for payments beginning in fiscal year 2026. The Secretary must solicit input from communities of color and other protected classes and consider social determinants of health when selecting these measures. The definition of 'equitable health care' includes the principle that care should not vary based on factors like race, national origin, sex, disability, or age. Beginning in fiscal year 2026, measures selected under existing provisions must include equitable health care measures as described in the amendment.

What does INEQUITABLE PROVISION OF HEALTH CARE AS A BASIS FOR PERMISSIVE of Equal Health Care for All Act do?

This section amends Section 1128(b) of the Social Security Act. It adds a new paragraph (18) to allow for the exclusion of health care providers from Medicare and Medicaid programs. The Secretary can exclude providers determined to have engaged in a pattern of inequitable provision of health care based on race, national origin, sex, disability, or age, as defined in the Equal Health Care for All Act. An exception exists: providers will not be excluded if it would increase difficulty in accessing health care for underserved or low-income communities.

What does OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS AND HEALTH EQUITY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF of Equal Health Care for All Act do?

This section renames the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services to the "Office for Civil Rights and Health Equity." All references to the former name will be considered references to the new name in U.S. laws, regulations, and documents. The head of the Office for Civil Rights and Health Equity will be the Director for Civil Rights and Health Equity, appointed by the President. References to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights will be considered references to the Director for Civil Rights and Health Equity.

What does PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION IN HEALTH CARE. of Equal Health Care for All Act do?

This section prohibits health care providers from providing inequitable health care based on race, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, age, or religion. The Secretary is required to provide patients with a notice of their rights under this section. An aggrieved person may file a complaint with the Director alleging inequitable provision of health care within one year of the alleged violation. The Director is responsible for investigating complaints, which may include seeking records of care provided to other patients to determine if there is a pattern or practice. The Director must account for social determinants of health when investigating complaints to ensure providers are not held accountable for factors outside their control. During the investigation, the Director shall engage in conciliation with the complainant and respondent. If a conciliation agreement is reached, it must protect the rights of the complainant and other similarly situated persons. The Director shall report the results of investigations to state licensing authorities. A civil action may be brought by a complainant if a conciliation agreement is not reached or is breached. The court may award damages and injunctive relief in a civil action for violations of this section, including punitive damages up to $1,000,000 for subsequent violations.

What does FEDERAL HEALTH EQUITY COMMISSION. of Equal Health Care for All Act do?

This section establishes the Federal Health Equity Commission. The Commission will be composed of eight voting members and nonvoting ex officio members from various federal agencies. Voting members are appointed by the President, the President pro tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, with restrictions on political party representation. The Commission's duties include monitoring the implementation of the Act and investigating progress towards health equity and the elimination of health disparities. The Commission must submit an annual report to the President and Congress detailing actions taken by federal agencies and providing recommendations. The Commission has the power to hold hearings, issue subpoenas, and obtain witness testimony. The Commission may accept gifts or donations. The Commission will have a full-time staff director appointed by the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. Members who are not federal employees will be compensated at a rate equivalent to Level IV of the Executive Schedule. Appropriations are authorized for fiscal year 2025 and subsequent years to carry out the Commission’s duties.

What does GRANTS FOR HOSPITALS TO PROMOTE EQUITABLE HEALTH CARE AND of Equal Health Care for All Act do?

This section establishes a grant program for hospitals to promote equitable health care treatment and services and reduce disparities in care and outcomes. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is required to award these grants within 180 days of the Act's enactment. The Secretary must consult with the Director for Civil Rights and Health Equity when establishing grant criteria and evaluating applications. Grant funds can be used to establish or expand programs focused on equitable health care for all patients. Permissible uses of grant funds include bias training, translation services, workforce diversity initiatives, data tracking, and cultural sensitivity training. Hospitals that received disproportionate share hospital payments in fiscal year 2025 will receive priority for grant awards. Grants are intended to supplement, not supplant, existing funding sources. “Equitable health care” is defined by reference to a specific section of the Social Security Act.

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Equal Health Care for All Act

Last updated: 7/17/2025 · Introduced: 7/17/2025

Author: Alex Padilla (D-CA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill prohibits health care providers from providing inequitable care based on race, sex, disability, age, or religion, allowing individuals to file complaints and pursue civil action for violations.
The bill mandates the collection and reporting of disaggregated health outcome data by healthcare providers to identify and address disparities, ensuring patient privacy.
Hospitals participating in the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program will be required to incorporate measures of equitable health care, considering social determinants of health, starting in fiscal year 2026.
The bill establishes a Federal Health Equity Commission to monitor the implementation of the Act, investigate progress, and make recommendations to Congress and the President.
Hospitals can apply for grants to implement programs promoting equitable health care, with priority given to those previously receiving disproportionate share hospital payments.

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