The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate have introduced the Health Equity and Accountability Act (HEAA) of 2024, a comprehensive bill designed to address racial and ethnic health disparities. Sponsored by Representatives Barbara Lee and Judy Chu, along with Senator Mazie K. Hirono, the legislation seeks to improve health outcomes for underserved and marginalized communities.
The HEAA includes provisions to enhance cancer research and improve access to prevention, early detection, and care. It also addresses health inequities related to immigration status, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, language, and socioeconomic status. The bill has strong support from the Congressional Tri-Caucuses, which includes the Black, Hispanic, and Asian Pacific American Caucuses.
Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, praised the legislation, stating, “Cancer is a disease that affects everyone, but it does not affect everyone equally.” The HEAA includes measures to address prostate cancer disparities, increase representation in clinical trials, and improve access to breast and cervical cancer screenings in U.S. territories.
The bill also focuses on timely collection and publication of demographic data to identify and address disparities in cancer care. Additionally, it includes universal free school meal policies to improve nutrition and potentially reduce diet-related cancer risks.
Lacasse emphasized the importance of reducing the cancer burden across all communities, saying, “Achieving our vision of ending cancer as we know it, for everyone requires reducing the cancer burden across all communities.” The legislation represents a significant step towards eliminating health disparities and ensuring equal access to quality healthcare for all Americans.
See “U.S. House and Senate Introduce Legislation Vital to Ending Health Disparities” (August 6, 2024)
