I 
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6463 
To provide for equal protection of the law and to prohibit discrimination 
and preferential treatment on the basis of race, color, or national origin 
in the administration of programs of the Department of Health and 
Human Services, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 20, 2022 
Mr. TIFFANY introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on 
Ways and Means, Education and Labor, and Natural Resources, 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 com-
mittee concerned 
A BILL 
To provide for equal protection of the law and to prohibit 
discrimination and preferential treatment on the basis 
of race, color, or national origin in the administration 
of programs of the Department of Health and Human 
Services, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Medical Equality and 
Discrimination Stoppage Act’’ or the ‘‘MEDS Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law, the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
(or any officer, employee, or other designee of the Sec-
retary) (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Secretary’’) 
shall not— 
(1) intentionally discriminate against, or grant 
a preference to, any person or group based in whole 
or in part on race, color, ethnicity or national origin, 
in connection with the distribution of, or access to, 
any monoclonal antibodies, vaccines or any other 
medical treatment, any contract or subcontract en-
tered into by the Secretary, award made by the Sec-
retary, or any other program or activity carried out 
by the Secretary; or 
(2) require, direct, recommend or encourage 
any entity under a contract or subcontract with the 
Secretary, or the recipient of a license issued by the 
Secretary or financial assistance provided under a 
program administered by the Secretary, to discrimi-
nate intentionally against, or grant a preference to, 
any person or group based in whole or in part on 
race, color, ethnicity or national origin, in connection 
with such a contract, subcontract, license, or finan-
cial assistance. 
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(b) STATES, TERRITORIES, AND PRIVATE ENTI-
TIES.—A State, territory, or private entity that receives 
financial assistance through any program administered by 
the Secretary shall not, as a condition of receiving such 
assistance, discriminate against, or grant a preference to, 
any person or group based in whole or in part on race, 
color, ethnicity or national origin in connection with any 
grant, activity, project, contract (or subcontract) carried 
out using such funds, including the salaries and expenses 
of any employees paid using such funds. 
(c) CIVIL ACTION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Any person who is aggrieved 
by conduct prohibited by subsection (a) or (b), may 
commence a civil action in the appropriate district 
court of the United States to obtain appropriate re-
lief, against Secretary or a State, territory, or pri-
vate entity referred to in subsection (a) or (b). 
(2) DAMAGES.—A prevailing plaintiff in a civil 
action under paragraph (1) may recover reasonable 
attorney’s fees. 
(3) EFFECT
ON
OTHER
LAW.—The remedies 
available to a plaintiff pursuant to a civil action 
under paragraph (1) shall not affect any remedy 
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available to such a plaintiff under any other State 
or Federal law. 
Æ 
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