[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 22, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S4233]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. PADILLA (for himself, Mr. Booker, Ms. Hirono, and Mr. 
        Warnock):
  S. 5066. A bill to improve the health of minority individuals, and 
for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Health Equity and 
Accountability Act of 2026. This comprehensive piece of legislation 
would eliminate racial and ethnic health inequities and increase access 
to healthcare for vulnerable communities across the entire spectrum of 
care by taking a comprehensive approach to health equity.
  This bill is a comprehensive approach to address these systemic 
disparities impacting communities across the country. The bill would 
expand access to culturally and linguistically appropriate care; 
strengthen and diversify the healthcare workforce; remove cost, 
citizenship, and administrative barriers to coverage and care; increase 
Federal support for Medicare, Medicaid, and public health systems; 
establish innovative models for maternal, child, mental, and behavioral 
health; fund prevention programs for high-impact diseases that 
disproportionately affect marginalized populations; modernize data 
collection efforts and expand telehealth access; address the social 
determinants of health through investments in nutrition, environmental 
justice, and community-based supports so that health outcomes improve 
and disparities are systematically reduced.
  The bill also lays out additional investments and policy changes to 
improve the health and well-being of underserved communities, address 
systemic health inequities, and ensure access to high-quality and 
affordable healtcare for all.
  At a time when access to healthcare is under increasing threat for 
our most vulnerable communities, including through recent Federal 
policy changes and the implementation of H.R. 1, which has already 
resulted in significant coverage losses for millions of low-income 
families and communities of color, the Health Equity and Accountability 
Act is more important than ever.
  Rather than allowing existing inequities to widen, this legislation 
reaffirms a commitment to ensuring that all people have a fair 
opportunity to access the care and services they need. By prioritizing 
equity and accountability across the healthcare system, HEAA would help 
build a more resilient, inclusive, and effective system that better 
serves communities that have historically faced barriers to care.
  I would like to thank the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and 
Congressman Raul Ruiz for leading this legislation in the House of 
Representatives, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to 
enact the Health Equity and Accountability Act as soon as possible.

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