Elected Officials Poised to Enact Equity Legislation During the 117th Congress

BY JANICE M. PHILLIPS, PHD, RN, CENP, FAAN

The year 2020 will be one of the most memorable years in our nation’s history. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, America got a first-hand look at some of the inequities and disparities that have plagued communities of color throughout history. Racial and ethnic minority populations remain disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus as evidenced by their higher rates of food insecurity, unemployment, and death. Thus, any discussions during the 117th Congress (1/3/2021 to 1/3/2023) regarding the social determinants of health and health equity will have implications for reducing the longstanding disparities experienced by these populations.

Because of the COVID19 pandemic, America got a first-hand look at some of the inequities and disparities that have plagued communities of color throughout history.

As nurses who care about health disparities, we must remain vigilant in using our voices and expertise to advocate for those most in need. In doing so, we must stay abreast of key legislative initiatives focused on mitigating health disparities and achieving health equity. Numerous organizations, professional societies, advocates, and others call for a greater integration of equity issues into the policy making process. For example, Families USA, a consumeroriented organization, has created a road map for the 117th Congress. Families USA has proposed legislative recommendations to achieve health equity which include a focus on ending racial injustice in health and health care and dismantling barriers to living a healthy life.

As nurses who care about health disparities, we must remain vigilant in using our voices and expertise to advocate for those most in need.

The new administration has started to apply an equity lens during the new congressional session. For example, on January 20, 2021, President Biden signed a number of Executive Orders to advance racial equity. Broad sweeping in scope, the “Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities through the Federal Government” requires agencies to assess how they are promoting equity in government actions. For example, one executive order calls for ensuring an equitable pandemic response and recovery. Another executive order calls for initiatives to ameliorate discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation. This executive order also calls for establishing a COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force.

Given that racial inequities exacerbate health disparities, a stronger focus on eliminating racial disparities must remain a high priority.

The Black Maternal Health Caucus introduced the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021 to end racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health. This proposed legislation consists of twelve provisions focused on mitigating the multiple drivers of poor maternal health outcomes. Investments in the social determinants of health, funding to support community-based organizations and research are among some of the key provisions. These twelve provisions will address the nation’s maternal health crisis and improve the health outcomes of all women of childbearing age, especially women of color. Environmental toxins and high pollution levels have long disproportionately affected communities of color and low-income communities. In January 2021, Representative Cori Bush (D-M0-01), a new congressional member and African American nurse, and Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) introduced the Environmental Justice Mapping and Data Collection Act of 2021. They proposed this legislation to help combat environmental racism. This legislation will establish an interagency justice mapping committee that will identify at risk communities for environmental injustice, create a data depository, and engage communities in seeking solutions.

Given that racial inequities exacerbate health disparities, a stronger focus on eliminating racial disparities must remain a high priority. From the bedside to the halls of Congress, nurses everywhere can play a role in helping to reduce disparities and ultimately achieve health equity.

In doing so, a few implications come to mind: • Does your employer/institution have a health equity strategic plan? What is nursing’s role in shaping and implementing the strategic plan? • How can you apply an equity lens to your nursing practice, research, teaching, and policy advocacy endeavors? • How can you leverage your expertise and experience to shape policy discussions around the achieving health equity?

Janice M. Phillips, PhD, RN, CENP, FAAN, is an associate professor at Rush University College of Nursing and the director of nursing research and health equity at Rush University Medical Center.

Resources

For additional information, please visit the following:

• https://familiesusa.org/resources/securing-our-healthy-future-a-road-map-for-the-117th-congress-to-improvehealth-and-health-care-in-every-american-community • https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-advancing-racialequity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/ • https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-markey-and-duckworth-rep-bush-introduce-legislation-to-help-identify-environmental-justice-communities • https://blackmaternalhealthcaucus-underwood.house.gov/Momnibus • https://www.govtrack.us