H.R. 1400House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

COVID–19 Health Disparities Action Act of 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 7, 2026 at 11:28 PM UTC

The COVID‑19 Health Disparities Action Act of 2021 directs the Department of Health and Human Services to launch nationwide public‑awareness campaigns that target racial and ethnic minorities, rural residents, and other vulnerable groups who have faced higher rates of COVID‑19 infection, hospitalization, death, and lower vaccination rates. It also creates a competitive grant program for state, tribal, and territorial health agencies to fund similar outreach efforts. The bill aims to improve vaccine and testing uptake, dispel misinformation, and reduce health inequities during the COVID‑19 public‑health emergency.

Key Provisions

The Secretary, through the CDC Director and in coordination with multiple federal health offices, must develop and run culturally competent, multilingual public‑awareness campaigns focused on vaccination, testing, and protective measures for high‑disparity communities, funded with $50 million for FY 2021.
Campaigns must prioritize areas with the greatest disparities, use print, radio, internet, and social‑media influencers, and provide evidence‑based information about vaccine benefits, availability, cost‑free testing, and protective actions.
A grant program authorizes $50 million for FY 2021 and $25 million for FY 2022 to award competitive grants to state, tribal, and territorial health departments, which can sub‑grant to local health departments, nonprofits, tribal and faith‑based groups, and others to implement the outreach campaigns.
The Secretary must create prototype campaign materials and make them publicly available online for grant recipients to adapt to local needs.
All campaigns and grants must be coordinated with existing federal, state, tribal, and local efforts, and the Secretary must report to Congress on fund usage within 45 days of allocation.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

February 27, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

February 26, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

February 26, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

February 27, 2021

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about H.R. 1400 on the floor

1 Republican

Sen. Cindy Hyde-SmithR-MS · Nov 18, 2021

Madam President, I am honored to pay tribute to former Governor Phil Bryant of Mississippi. While there are many things for which the Governor deserves praise, today I specifically want to speak…

Madam President, I am honored to pay tribute to former Governor Phil Bryant of Mississippi. While there are many things for which the Governor deserves praise, today I specifically want to speak about Governor Bryant's stalwart work during his term of office from 2012-2020 to protect and defend the most vulnerable of our society: unborn children.

While running for office, Phil Bryant promised Mississippians that he would work tirelessly as Governor to protect the rights of the unborn. He fulfilled that promise. Throughout two terms in office, Governor Bryant was a driving force behind legislative efforts to protect life in Mississippi.

In April 2012, Governor Bryant signed Mississippi House Bill 1390. This bill required abortion practitioners to be certified as obstetrician-gynecologists and to maintain admitting privileges at a local hospital. Through these requirements, this legislation sought to strengthen abortion regulations and ensure that women receive quality care for any complications following an abortion.

In April 2014, Governor Bryant signed Mississippi House Bill 1400, banning abortions performed after 20 weeks. This legislation cited a plethora of medical evidence, showing that a baby can feel pain at this stage, and that pregnant women are at increased health risks, even death, when undergoing later-term abortion procedures.

Additionally, Governor Bryant signed into law the Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act in 2016, banning dismemberment abortions or those involving the practice known as D&E or ``dilation and evacuation.'' Dismemberment is the most prevalent method of second trimester abortion, accounting for 96 percent of all second trimester abortions. With the enactment of this law, Governor Bryant not only banned these violent dismemberment procedures from taking place in the Mississippi, he also prohibited the illegal trafficking of the bodies of aborted babies in Mississippi.

Governor Bryant did not stop there and continued working to keep his promise to make Mississippi ``the safest place in America'' for unborn babies. In 2018, he signed the Gestational Age Act, which banned abortions after 15 weeks in most cases. It is this law being challenged at the U.S. Supreme Court in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health.

Throughout all of these laws, Governor Bryant maintained steadfast courage and held tightly to his promise to the people of Mississippi to fight continuously to protect the unborn. I love what he once said when groups threatened legal action against our State's pro-life legislation. He said, ``We will all answer to the good Lord one day. I will say in this instance, `I fought for the lives of innocent babies, even under threat of legal action.' ''

That is indeed true. When his time comes, Governor Bryant can stand tall before the Lord, having fought the good fight to protect the unborn. And indeed, when the Supreme Court hears oral arguments in the Dobbs case on December 1, Governor Bryant can smile in the knowledge that his work was not in vain.

For all these reasons, I call attention to Governor Phil Bryant. He deserves laudable recognition for his 8-year fight to protect and defend the right to life for the unborn babies in the womb, reflecting the character and values of the people of our State, Mississippi.

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued February 26, 2021

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1400

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 26, 2021

Mr. Cárdenas (for himself and Mrs. Watson Coleman) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To establish and support public awareness campaigns to address COVID–19-related health disparities and promote vaccination.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the COVID–19 Health Disparities Action Act of 2021.

Federal public awareness campaigns to address COVID–19-related health disparities and promote vaccination

(a)

In general

The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and in coordination with the White House COVID–19 Health Equity Task Force, the Office of Minority Health of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Surgeon General, the National Vaccine Program Office, and, as appropriate, in coordination with the relevant Offices of Minority Health in the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, the Indian Health Service, and other relevant Federal offices and agencies, shall, subject to the availability of funding, develop and implement public awareness campaigns about COVID–19 vaccination and other relevant information about COVID–19 directed at racial and ethnic minority, rural, and other vulnerable populations that have experienced health disparities during the COVID–19 public health emergency related to rates of vaccination, testing, infection, hospitalization, and death.

(b)

Requirements

The public awareness campaigns under this section shall—

(1)

prioritize communities where the greatest health disparities have been identified with respect to rates of vaccination, testing, infection, hospitalization, and death related to COVID–19, with a focus on disparities affecting racial and ethnic minority, rural, and other vulnerable populations;

(2)

be accessible, culturally competent, and, as appropriate, multilingual;

(3)

use print, radio, or internet media, including partnerships with social media influencers and thought leaders, or other forms of public communication, including local, independent, or community-based written news and electronic publications; and

(4)

provide information based on scientific evidence, dispel misinformation, and promote transparency regarding—

(A)

COVID–19 vaccination, which may include information regarding—

(i)

the effects of COVID–19 vaccination on disease transmission and severity, and the associated health impacts for individuals, communities, or the Nation;

(ii)

the effects of COVID–19 vaccination on the economic health of communities or the Nation;

(iii)

the current or upcoming availability of COVID–19 vaccination with no cost-sharing for most United States residents;

(iv)

locations where COVID–19 vaccinations are or will be available;

(v)

any relevant information regarding vaccination allocation or populations that are prioritized for vaccination in the region; and

(vi)

any other information regarding COVID–19 vaccination, as the Secretary determines appropriate;

(B)

COVID–19 testing, which may include information regarding—

(i)

the effects of COVID–19 testing on disease transmission;

(ii)

the availability of COVID–19 testing with no cost-sharing for most United States residents; and

(iii)

locations where COVID–19 testing is available in the region;

(C)

the actions that individuals may take to protect themselves from COVID–19, which may include masking and social distancing; or

(D)

any other topics related to COVID–19, as the Secretary determines appropriate.

(c)

Coordination

The public awareness campaigns under this section shall be complementary to, and coordinated with, any other Federal, State, Tribal, and local efforts, including the grant program described in section 3, as appropriate.

(d)

Report to Congress

Not later than 45 days after the date on which amounts are made available to the Secretary under this section, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on how such funds have been used during such 45-day period and a plan for using any remaining funds within the next 45 days.

(e)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2021.

Grant program for public awareness campaigns to address COVID–19-related health disparities and promote vaccination

(a)

In general

The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and in coordination with the White House COVID–19 Health Equity Task Force, the Office of Minority Health of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Surgeon General, the National Vaccine Program Office, and, as appropriate, in coordination with the relevant Offices of Minority Health in the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, the Indian Health Service, and other relevant Federal offices and agencies, shall award competitive grants to State, Tribal, and territorial health departments to support public awareness campaigns about COVID–19 directed at racial and ethnic minority, rural, and other vulnerable populations that have experienced health disparities during the COVID–19 public health emergency related to rates of vaccination, testing, infection, hospitalization, and death.

(b)

Eligible local entities

Recipients of grants under this section may disseminate the grant funding to eligible local entities, which may include local health departments, nonprofit community-based organizations, Tribal organizations, urban Indian organizations, health care providers, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit faith-based organizations, to develop and implement the public awareness campaigns described in subsection (a).

(c)

Prototypes

The Secretary shall develop prototype campaign materials and make such materials available on the internet website of the Department of Health and Human Services for grant recipients and eligible local entities to adapt as needed to meet the needs of local communities.

(d)

Requirements

The public awareness campaigns under this section shall—

(1)

(2)

be accessible, culturally competent, and, as appropriate, multilingual;

(3)

(4)

provide information based on scientific evidence, dispel misinformation, and promote transparency regarding—

(A)

COVID–19 vaccination, which may include information regarding—

(i)

the effects of COVID–19 vaccination on disease transmission and severity, and the associated health impacts for individuals, communities, or the Nation;

(ii)

the effects of COVID–19 vaccination on the economic health of communities or the Nation;

(iii)

the current or upcoming availability of COVID–19 vaccination with no cost-sharing for most United States residents;

(iv)

locations where COVID–19 vaccinations are or will be available;

(v)

any relevant information regarding vaccination allocation or populations that are prioritized for vaccination in the region; and

(vi)

any other information regarding COVID–19 vaccination, as the Secretary determines appropriate;

(B)

COVID–19 testing, which may include information regarding—

(i)

the effects of COVID–19 testing on disease transmission;

(ii)

the availability of COVID–19 testing with no cost-sharing for most United States residents; and

(iii)

locations where COVID–19 testing is available in the region;

(C)

the actions that individuals may take to protect themselves from COVID–19, which may include masking and social distancing; or

(D)

any other topics related to COVID–19, as the Secretary determines appropriate.

(e)

Coordination

The public health campaigns supported by grants awarded under this section shall be complementary to, and coordinated with, any other Federal, State, or local efforts, including the public awareness campaigns described in section 2, as appropriate.

(f)

Timing

The Secretary shall award the grants under this section not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

(g)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2021 and $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2022.

Definitions

In this Act—

(1)

the term COVID–19 public health emergency means the public health emergency first declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d) on January 31, 2020, with respect to COVID–19;

(2)

the term racial and ethnic minority has the meaning given the term racial and ethnic minority group in section 1707(g) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300u–6(g));

(3)

the term relevant Offices of Minority Health in the Department of Health and Human Services may include—

(A)

the Office of Extramural Research, Education, and Priority Populations of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality;

(B)

the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;

(C)

the Office of Minority Health of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services;

(D)

the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity of the Food and Drug Administration;

(E)

the Office of Health Equity of the Health Resources and Services Administration; and

(F)

the Office of Behavioral Health Equity of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration;

(4)

the term Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services;

(5)

the term Tribal organization has the meanings given the term tribal organization in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304); and

(6)

the term urban Indian organization has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1603).