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Recognizing MENA Communities as a Racial and Ethnic Minority for Health Equity.

This law officially recognizes individuals from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) as a racial and ethnic minority group for federal public health purposes. This inclusion grants the community access to specialized resources and programs designed to eliminate health disparities. The federal government is also mandated to conduct a comprehensive study on the unique health challenges faced by this population to better tailor assistance.
Key points
The MENA community (e.g., Lebanese, Iranians, Kurds) is now included in the definition of an ethnic minority, ensuring access to federal health equity programs and resources.
Mandate for a comprehensive study on MENA health patterns and outcomes to better understand and address their unique health challenges, such as chronic diseases and mental health disorders.
Improved data collection: The government must stop aggregating MENA health data with non-Hispanic White data, allowing for accurate tracking of disparities and more effective healthcare planning.
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Additional Information
Print number: 118_S_2899
Sponsor: Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
Process start date: 2023-09-21
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Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-09-2025
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Health Equity and MENA Community Inclusion Act of 2023

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 118_S_2899.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2023-09-21.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • The MENA community (e.g., Lebanese, Iranians, Kurds) is now included in the definition of an ethnic minority, ensuring access to federal health equity programs and resources.
  • Mandate for a comprehensive study on MENA health patterns and outcomes to better understand and address their unique health challenges, such as chronic diseases and mental health disorders.
  • Improved data collection: The government must stop aggregating MENA health data with non-Hispanic White data, allowing for accurate tracking of disparities and more effective healthcare planning.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Introduced in Senate

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-26.

CATEGORIES

Health