Federal RuleAug 21
62
DOL Rewrites Disability Rules for 'Merit-Based Opportunity' Push
RuleLabor DepartmentFederal Contract Compliance Programs OfficeSignificant Wallet
119-hr-6767119th CongressWALLET
Health Equity and MENA Community Inclusion Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
Introduced
Summary
Recognize Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) people as a federal racial and ethnic minority to improve health data and program inclusion. The bill would add MENA to the statutory definition used by federal health programs, require a comprehensive health study of MENA subpopulations, and direct the Department of Health and Human Services to update guidance so the change applies consistently.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Add MENA to minority definition
If enacted, the bill would amend federal public health law to add "Middle Easterners and North Africans" to the statutory list of racial and ethnic minority groups. The bill defines MENA with examples such as Lebanese, Iranians, Egyptians, Kurds, and Yazidis. The Secretary of HHS would have two years to find HHS rules, guidance, or documents that use "racial and ethnic minority group" without defining it and to clarify whether the new definition applies, and must report to Congress on implementation within two years. The bill also expresses the sense of Congress that applying the new definition should be done consistently and should not negatively affect any other racial or ethnic minority group served by federal programs.
Nationwide MENA health study
If enacted, the Secretary of Health and Human Services would run or fund a nationwide study of health for Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) people in the United States. The study would collect disaggregated data by MENA subpopulation on diseases, disabilities, maternal and child health, risk factors, and causes of death. HHS would consult the Census, CDC, NIH, mental health and substance use offices, and community groups, post non-identifiable results and data on a public website, and deliver an interim report within two years and a final report by the study’s end (no later than two years after the interim). The bill would authorize whatever funds are necessary, require strict privacy rules banning personally identifiable information from reports and the public portal, and make knowing unauthorized disclosure a misdemeanor punishable by up to $25,000.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]
MI • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2]
IL • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]
NM • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44]
CA • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]
IN • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]
NY • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46]
CA • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]
IL • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]
NY • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]
GA • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12]
PA • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4]
MN • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14]
NY • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Rep. Pou, Nellie [D-NJ-9]
NJ • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]
IL • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]
CA • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Rep. Rivas, Luz M. [D-CA-29]
CA • D
Sponsored 1/27/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov