Health Equity and MENA Community Inclusion Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 6767

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-12-16: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2026-01-28T09:05:36Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Health Equity and Middle Eastern and North African Community Inclusion Act of 2025 aims to recognize Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) individuals as a racial and ethnic minority group under federal health law. This inclusion seeks to address health disparities faced by MENA populations by expanding access to resources and directing a detailed study of their health needs.

Key Provisions

• Definition of MENA: Defines "Middle Eastern and North African" or "MENA" to include individuals identifying with nationalities or ethnic groups from the MENA region, such as Lebanese, Iranians, Egyptians, Moroccans, Yemenis, Chaldeans, Imazighen, Kurds, Palestinians, and Yazidis.
• Inclusion in Minority Group Definition: Amends the Public Health Service Act to add MENA individuals to the list of "racial and ethnic minority groups" eligible for health disparity reduction programs.
• Sense of Congress: Emphasizes that the change should be implemented to apply across federal programs without harming existing minority groups.
• Clarification of References: Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to review and update departmental documents, regulations, and guidance that use the term "racial and ethnic minority group" without defining it, ensuring the new definition applies where appropriate. HHS must submit a report to Congress on this within 2 years.
• Comprehensive Health Study: Directs HHS to conduct or support a study on MENA health patterns, including:
• Enumeration of MENA populations by subpopulation.
• Rates of health risk factors (e.g., behaviors like smoking, physiological issues like diabetes, environmental exposures, genetic predispositions, demographics, and social determinants like income and access to care).
• Prevalence of chronic diseases (e.g., cancers, heart disease), disabilities, mental health conditions, substance use disorders, maternal/reproductive health, nutritional issues, child health, dental health, violence, and overall morbidity/mortality.
• Analysis of contributing factors, leading causes of death, healthcare access impacts, disparities compared to other groups, and effects of federal health programs.
• Consultation with entities like the Census Bureau, CDC, NIH, and community organizations to define subpopulations.
• Reporting and Data Sharing: Requires an interim report to Congress within 2 years on data collection challenges and progress, and a final report within 2 years after that on study results and recommendations for equitable inclusion in programs. HHS must create a public online portal for study results and data (excluding personal information).
• Privacy Protections: Mandates safeguards for personally identifiable information (PII), such as avoiding unnecessary collection, secure destruction after use, informed consent, and prohibitions on including PII in reports or portals. Violations by officials can result in fines up to $25,000.
• Funding: Authorizes necessary appropriations for the study.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Expands the definition of "racial and ethnic minority group" in Section 1707(g)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300u-6(g)(1)) from "Blacks or African Americans" and "Hispanics" to also include "Middle Easterners and North Africans." Previously, MENA individuals were classified under "non-Hispanic White," excluding them from targeted minority health resources like those from the Office of Minority Health (OMH).
• Introduces a new mandate for a MENA-specific health study, which was not previously required, building on the 2024 Office of Management and Budget recognition of MENA as a distinct category in federal data standards (Statistical Policy Directive 15).

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: HHS and OMH will need to update policies, programs, and data collection to include MENA, potentially requiring additional resources for surveys and implementation. This could enhance federal health equity efforts by improving data accuracy and program effectiveness.
• On Citizens: MENA individuals may gain better access to health resources, culturally appropriate services, and disparity-reduction programs, potentially leading to improved health outcomes like reduced chronic disease rates and better maternal care. Other minority groups are protected from resource dilution.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though better U.S. data on MENA health could inform global health initiatives involving immigrant or diaspora communities from these regions.

Main Stakeholders

• MENA Communities: Primary beneficiaries, including diverse subpopulations like Arabs, Persians, and Kurds, who face health disparities due to factors like discrimination and limited data.
• HHS and Related Agencies: Including OMH, CDC, NIH, and Census Bureau, responsible for study execution, data updates, and program adjustments.
• Congress and Policymakers: Oversee implementation through reports and funding.
• Community-Based Organizations and Researchers: Involved in consultations and using study data to advocate for or develop targeted health interventions.
• Healthcare Providers: Affected by requirements for culturally and linguistically appropriate services.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens enforcement of health equity under the Public Health Service Act by aligning federal definitions with updated demographic standards, potentially reducing legal challenges related to data disaggregation and equal protection. Privacy provisions comply with existing laws like HIPAA by emphasizing PII safeguards and penalties for breaches.
• Constitutional: Supports equal protection under the 14th Amendment by addressing disparities for a historically underrepresented group without infringing on others' rights, as the bill includes safeguards against negative impacts.
• Political: Reflects bipartisan potential in health equity (introduced by Democrats but aligns with 2024 OMB changes under prior administration); could influence future census and data policies, fostering inclusivity in federal programs amid debates on race/ethnicity classifications. No major controversies noted in the bill itself, focusing on evidence-based improvements.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]

Cosponsors (18)

Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4], Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14], Rep. Pou, Nellie [D-NJ-9], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Rivas, Luz M. [D-CA-29]

Recent Actions

• 2025-12-16: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-12-16: Introduced in House
• 2025-12-16: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Health Equity and Middle Eastern and North African Community Inclusion Act of 2025 — issued 2025-12-16 — PDF (17 pages)