Tlaib Re-Introduces Bill to Promote Health Equity & Inclusion for MENA Community
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), along with Congresswomen Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Robin Kelly (IL-02) and Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), introduced the Health Equity and Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Community Inclusion Act, legislation that will help ensure the health experiences and needs of our neighbors within the MENA community are accurately recognized by the federal government. This will help make MENA communities eligible for targeted minority public health programs and resources.
“Michigan’s 12th District has one of the largest Middle Eastern and North African populations in the country, but our unique health experiences and needs are invisible to the federal government. Under current law, the U.S. government excludes those of Middle Eastern and North African descent from accessing critical health resources intended to address disparities facing historically marginalized communities,” said Congresswoman Tlaib. “With the Health Equity and MENA Community Inclusion Act, MENA residents will finally have their identity reflected in our nation’s public health system. This is critical in providing resources, funding, and services to our Middle Eastern and North African neighbors, which is key to addressing the negative public health impacts experienced by so many in the MENA community caused by systemic erasure by our federal government.”
“Our healthcare system is marked by massive inequities that must be addressed,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “The Health Equity and MENA Community Inclusion Act takes a long-overdue step to close these gaps by helping federal agencies better understand the specific health needs of communities across the nation who have been overlooked far too long. This legislation is exactly what we need to bring us one step closer to achieving health equity for all.”
The Health Equity and MENA Community Inclusion Act amends the Public Health Service Act of 1944 by adding ‘Middle Easterners and North Africans’ to the definition of ‘racial and ethnic minority groups,’ making MENA individuals and communities eligible for resources targeted towards historically marginalized groups for the first time. These resources and programs – which the MENA community has not been able to access, despite facing significant health disparities – are specifically designed to address the negative public health impacts experienced by many in historically marginalized communities and are key to improving health outcomes and general quality of life. Additionally, the bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a comprehensive study of the unique health patterns and outcomes of MENA populations to make up for the historic lack of public health research on the community.
“For far too long, our Middle Eastern and North African communities here in the U.S. have been overlooked by the healthcare system.” said Congresswoman Stansbury. I’m proud to join Representative Rashida Tlaib as a co-lead of the Health Equity and MENA Inclusion Act, which will finally recognize the unique barriers to care these communities face. This legislation will streamline research into MENA health outcomes and help identify new ways to make our healthcare system more accessible and equitable. At a time when access to care is under attack for so many Americans, this bill is a critical step toward ensuring healthcare works for all of our communities.”
“Far too often, Middle Eastern and North African Americans are left behind in public health, civil rights protections, educations services, and government resources,” said Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Chair of the CBC Health Braintrust. “They’re incorrectly labeled as ‘white’ by the government even though they have been historically marginalized. This bill will correct that misconception and ensure the MENA community is accurately represented so they can receive the resources they need.”
“The Health Equity and MENA Community Inclusion Act ensures that federal health data finally reflects the full diversity of the populations it serves,” said Rima Meroueh, Director of the National Network. “By formally including Middle Eastern and North African communities in HHS’s statutory definition of racial and ethnic minority groups and aligning the Department’s practices with the updated SPD 15 standards, the bill creates a clear and consistent foundation for collecting accurate, high-value data. It also establishes strong privacy safeguards and directs HHS to conduct the first-ever comprehensive study of MENA health. This study will generate detailed, disaggregated information that researchers and public health professionals need to identify trends, design effective interventions, and strengthen programs for all communities. High-quality data leads to better science and better policy, and this legislation moves the nation much closer to that goal.”
This legislation is cosponsored by: Reps. Barragán (CA-44), Carson (IN-07), Clarke (NY-09), Correa (CA-46), Garcia (IL-04), Goldman (NY-10), Norton (DC-AL), Johnson (GA-04), Lee (PA-12), McCollum (MN-04), Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Pou (NJ-09), Schakowsky (IL-09), and Simon (CA-12).
This legislation is endorsed by: Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture, American Muslim Health Professionals (AMHP), Arab America, Arab American Association of New York, Arab American Civic Council, Arab American Family Services, Arab American Family Support Center, Arab American Heritage Council, Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS), Arab Resource & Organizing Center Action (AROC Action), Coalition on Human Needs, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Culturingua, Elmahaba Center, Justice in Aging, Majdal: Arab Community Center of San Diego, MPower Change Action Fund, Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), Muslims for Just Futures, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), National Health Law Program, National Iranian American Council Action, National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC), Palestinian American Community Center, Syrian Community Network, and The Arc of the United States.
The full text of the legislation can be found here.
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