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Equitable Health Care for All Act
12/30/2022, 7:34 AM
Summary of Bill HR 5742
The bill proposes several key provisions to achieve this goal. Firstly, it aims to expand access to health insurance coverage by creating a public option for individuals to purchase health insurance through a government-run program. This would provide an alternative to private insurance plans and help lower costs for consumers.
Additionally, the bill seeks to address disparities in health care access and outcomes by investing in underserved communities and increasing funding for community health centers. This would help ensure that all individuals, regardless of their income or background, have access to the care they need. Furthermore, the Equitable Health Care for All Act includes provisions to lower prescription drug prices and increase transparency in the pharmaceutical industry. This would help make medications more affordable for patients and reduce the financial burden of high drug costs. Overall, Bill 117 HR 5742 aims to improve the accessibility and affordability of health care for all individuals in the United States. By addressing disparities in access and outcomes, expanding insurance coverage options, and lowering prescription drug prices, this legislation seeks to create a more equitable health care system for all Americans.
Congressional Summary of HR 5742
Equitable Health Care for All Act
This bill prohibits discrimination in health care based on race, religion, and other characteristics. It also revises reporting requirements, adds equity-related measures to certain Medicare programs, and makes other changes to reduce health disparities.
To enforce the prohibition, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must establish an administrative process to resolve complaints about inequitable health care. HHS must investigate these complaints and mediate agreements to resolve issues. In the event of noncompliance with a mediated agreement, an aggrieved individual may bring a civil action.
Health care providers must also report data in formats that allow disaggregation by demographic factors. HHS must issue proposed regulations to carry out this requirement within 90 days.
Additionally, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must include measures related to equitable health care in the Medicare value-based purchasing program for hospitals. This program provides incentive payments based on quality of care. The CMS may also exclude providers that furnish inequitable health care from its programs.
In addition, the bill establishes the Federal Health Equity Commission to monitor implementation of the bill and establishes a grant program for hospitals to promote equitable health care.
