To improve the health of minority individuals, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Raul Ruiz (Democratic-CA)July 22, 2026

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Introduced

In Committee

Passed One Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Signed into Law

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Agriculture, Oversight and Government Reform, Education and Workforce, the Judiciary, the Budget, Veterans' Affairs, Natural Resources, Armed Services, Homeland Security, Financial Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Requires better health data and services for minority groups and underserved communities.

This bill would make major changes to how the government collects health data, aiming to identify and reduce health disparities for minority groups, women, children, and people with disabilities. It would expand access to health care services, including dental and mental health, and boost funding for programs that support diverse health care workers and culturally appropriate care. It also addresses social factors like food access and environmental justice that impact health.

What Would Change

Today, health data collection for many federal programs lacks detailed demographic information, and access to culturally and linguistically appropriate care varies widely. After this bill, federal health programs would be required to collect and report much more specific data on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and other factors. There would be new grants and mandates to ensure language services, diversify the healthcare workforce, and expand coverage for underserved populations, leading to more equitable access and outcomes.

Key Provisions

Requires federal health programs to collect detailed demographic data, including race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and primary language.
Expands Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) eligibility and benefits, including oral health for pregnant and postpartum individuals, and eliminates funding caps for U.S. territories.
Increases funding for programs that diversify the healthcare workforce, especially at minority-serving institutions, and supports training for culturally and linguistically appropriate care.
Establishes grants for culturally and linguistically appropriate health services, including medical interpreters, and creates a national center for these services.
Creates new programs and grants to address social factors affecting health, such as housing, food access for seniors, and environmental justice in communities.

View on Congress.gov

HR 9877 · 119th Congress · July 22, 2026 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 7/10

To improve the health of minority individuals, and for other purposes.

What Would Change

Key Provisions

Lobbying Activity