Bill Overview
Title: MEDS Act
Description: This bill prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from discriminating against or providing preferential treatment to any person or group on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, or national origin. The prohibitions also apply to the administration of HHS programs, including HHS-funded programs administered by states, territories, and private entities. An individual aggrieved by conduct prohibited under the bill may commence a civil action in the appropriate U.S. district court to obtain relief.
Sponsors: Rep. Tiffany, Thomas P. [R-WI-7]
Target Audience
Population: People receiving healthcare or services through HHS.
Estimated Size: 290000000
- The bill impacts individuals who are recipients of services or goods through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
- This includes individuals benefitting from programs funded by HHS, which covers a wide range of healthcare services, welfare programs, and health initiatives.
- The prohibitions on discrimination apply to all races, colors, ethnicities, and national origins, meaning the bill affects potentially anyone who interacts with or is served by HHS programs.
- Globally, discrimination in healthcare services is a widespread issue, affecting millions, though the direct impact of this specific U.S. legislation will be national unless similar policies are adopted elsewhere.
Reasoning
- The MEDS Act targets discriminatory practices in healthcare services, impacting a broad range of people using programs overseen by the HHS.
- Given the scope of Medicaid and Medicare, as well as other public health services, an extensive portion of the U.S. population could experience some level of impact from the new legislation.
- The budget constraints imply that while the act intends to prohibit discrimination, its immediate financial reach may only address a subset of potential cases, focusing on severe breaches or systemic biases.
- The relatively broad applicability across racial and ethnic lines necessitates understanding diverse individual perspectives from various socio-economic and racial backgrounds.
Simulated Interviews
Retired Teacher (New York, NY)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I always felt there were subtle racial biases in the way services are provided in hospitals.
- If this helps me get better treatment and equal priority in care, I'm all for it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Software Engineer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I haven't experienced discrimination in healthcare personally, but it's good to know those who do might find it easier to challenge it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Nurse (Houston, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- In the clinic, we see a lot of people worried about discrimination, so this could offer them some relief and make my job easier.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Construction Worker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've faced challenges getting the care I need, so anything helping to stop discrimination is a big positive for me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Student (Seattle, WA)
Age: 25 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Discrimination can be intersectional, and this policy might help in acknowledging diverse identities in healthcare access.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Unemployed (Miami, FL)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to fair treatment is crucial, and this change could help many like me who worry about prejudices impacting our healthcare.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Entrepreneur (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It would be good to have assurance that the services I use are fair to all veterans, regardless of race or background.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Social Worker (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've seen firsthand how discrimination affects healthcare outcomes, so I welcome policies aimed at stopping it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Truck Driver (Dallas, TX)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't see this impacting me directly, but it's good to promote equality across the board.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Teacher (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've encountered bias in treatment in the past, so this is promising if it addresses these issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $300000000)
Year 2: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $300000000)
Year 3: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $300000000)
Year 5: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $300000000)
Year 10: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $300000000)
Year 100: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $300000000)
Key Considerations
- There are existing anti-discrimination regulations, and this bill would require improved mechanisms for compliance and enforcement within the HHS.
- Potential civil actions could introduce variability in annual costs but also demand the establishment of a handling framework.
- The bill reinforces the ongoing debate about how discretion is exercised within federal services concerning race, color, ethnicity, or national origin.