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Congress·In Committee·3 months ago

Congress seeks to add MENA people to federal minority health programs and order a national health study

Also known as: Health Equity and MENA Community Inclusion Act of 2025

Legislative Progress

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Review
House
Senate
President

Key Points

  • Adds Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) people to the legal definition of a racial and ethnic minority group in key federal health programs.
  • This could make it easier for MENA communities to be included in health equity efforts and resources run through the Health and Human Services Department.
  • Requires Health and Human Services to review its own rules and documents within 2 years and clarify where the updated minority-group definition applies.
  • Orders a major federal study on MENA health across the U.S., including chronic disease, disability, mental health, and social factors like income, housing, and language barriers.
  • Creates a public online portal for study results, and sets privacy rules that limit collection and sharing of personally identifiable information.
HealthcareCivil RightsData Privacy

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Dec 16, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Dec 16, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

After the bill is enacted

HHS begins applying the updated “racial and ethnic minority group” definition to include MENA where that definition is used

MENA communities may be more clearly included in outreach, program design, and reporting for federal minority-health activities that rely on this definition

After the bill is enacted

HHS launches work on the comprehensive MENA health study (planning, consultation, data collection)

More MENA-focused health data collection may start, and some people may be asked to participate in surveys or research

Related News

2 articles
Senator Alex Padilla (Newsroom)·over 2 years ago

Padilla Introduces Bill to Promote Health Equity and Inclusion for MENA Community

Announcement of the Health Equity and Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Community Inclusion Act; describes adding MENA to the Public Health Service Act minority definition and directing an HHS health study.

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Senator Gary Peters (Newsroom)·2 months ago

Senator Peters Urges Health and Human Services Department to Fully Implement Middle Eastern and North African Community Inclusion Act

Letter-focused coverage urging HHS to add MENA to its list of “racial and ethnic minority groups,” citing updated federal data standards and barriers to eligibility for minority-targeted programming.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Health Equity and MENA Community Inclusion Act of 2025

Bill NumberHR 6767
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(17)
D: 17

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.