Title: Urging the promotion of equity in the distribution and allocation of COVID-19 vaccines among Hispanic, Black, Asian-American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, and Native American communities.
Policy area: Health

Summary:
This resolution urges all levels of government, health care entities, and others to implement plans to allocate COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) vaccines that account for health disparities and inequities related to the disease.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 341 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 341

 Urging the promotion of equity in the distribution and allocation of 
    COVID-19 vaccines among Hispanic, Black, Asian-American, Native 
    Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, and Native American communities.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 21, 2021

 Mr. Ruiz (for himself, Ms. Chu, Mrs. Beatty, Ms. Barragan, Mr. Meeks, 
Ms. Garcia of Texas, Mr. Correa, Ms. Matsui, Mr. Pascrell, Mr. Takano, 
  Mr. Lieu, Mr. Vargas, Ms. Leger Fernandez, Mr. Evans, Mr. Larson of 
Connecticut, Mr. McNerney, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Espaillat, Mr. Garcia of 
Illinois, Mr. Gallego, Ms. Bonamici, Ms. Meng, Ms. Norton, Mr. Green of 
Texas, Mr. Vela, Ms. Jayapal, Mrs. Napolitano, Mr. Castro of Texas, Ms. 
    Velazquez, Ms. Escobar, Mr. Gomez, Ms. Ross, and Mr. Carbajal) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                         on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Urging the promotion of equity in the distribution and allocation of 
    COVID-19 vaccines among Hispanic, Black, Asian-American, Native 
    Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, and Native American communities.

Whereas the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted longstanding health, 
        economic, and social inequities with communities of color continuing to 
        be disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including--

    (1) Hispanic populations being more likely to be infected, more than 
three times as likely to be hospitalized, and more than twice as likely to 
die from COVID-19 compared to their White counterparts;

    (2) Black communities being more likely to be infected, almost three 
times as likely to be hospitalized, and almost twice as likely to die from 
COVID-19 compared to their White counterparts;

    (3) Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders being more likely to be 
infected, hospitalized, and die from COVID-19 compared to their White 
counterparts and continuing to face the highest COVID-19 infection and 
mortality rates out of any racial group in several States; and

    (4) American Indian or Alaska Natives being almost twice as likely to 
be infected, three times as likely to be hospitalized, and more than twice 
as likely to die from COVID-19;

Whereas a national strategy to collect demographic data on COVID-19 vaccines 
        that include race and ethnicity must be established, implemented, and 
        monitored given that race and ethnicity are known for just over half of 
        the people who have received at least one dose of the vaccine;
Whereas significant data gaps related to COVID-19 in Asian-American, Native 
        Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, and American Indian and Alaska Native 
        communities continue to exist, inhibiting the ability to tailor targeted 
        health interventions, resources, and outreach to these communities;
Whereas about 6 out of 10 Black and Hispanic adults say they do not have enough 
        information about where to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, compared to about 
        half of White adults, which further undermines vaccination efforts and 
        increases the vulnerability of Black and Hispanic communities;
Whereas about half of farmworkers indicated they were unsure of getting 
        vaccinated when a vaccine became available to them due to fear of side 
        effects, mistrust of government, cost, and fear that the vaccine could 
        start a COVID-19 infection;
Whereas communities of color tend to have fewer pharmacies per capita, putting 
        them at a disadvantage in COVID-19 vaccination efforts;
Whereas preexisting conditions like diabetes, heart and lung disease, and 
        hypertension put communities of color at higher risk of COVID-19 
        complications, especially Hispanics who have the highest uninsured rate 
        of any demographic group;
Whereas 30 State health departments do not report COVID-19 cases for Native 
        Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders and 34 State health departments do not 
        report COVID-19 deaths for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders 
        despite the significant disparities this population continues to face;
Whereas immigrant communities are largely Hispanic and Asian populations, with 
        approximately one-third of both Asians and Hispanics being limited-
        English proficient, which has often impeded access to life-saving care 
        and information throughout the pandemic;
Whereas the public charge rule has caused fear and confusion for immigrant 
        communities discouraging them from using critical health and social 
        benefit programs;
Whereas the United States has a longstanding history of racism, mistreatment, 
        and discrimination against Black, Hispanic, Asian-American, Native 
        Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, Native American, and other communities of 
        color; and
Whereas the right to health care is among the internationally agreed-upon human 
        rights: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) urges State, local, Tribal, and territorial 
        governments, Federal agencies, community organizations, health 
        care entities, private sector partners, and others to--
                    (A) implement and monitor plans for an equitable 
                distribution and allocation of COVID-19 vaccines;
                    (B) implement outreach strategies toward 
                communities of color that are culturally and 
                linguistically appropriate as well as technologically 
                accessible, including working with trusted community 
                partners;
                    (C) ensure that the COVID-19 vaccine cannot be 
                denied to individuals based on immigration status; and
                    (D) implement worksite vaccination clinics 
                targeting the hardest hit industries in hot spot 
                locations;
            (2) encourages retail pharmacies administering COVID-19 
        vaccines to target ZIP Codes with a disproportionate rate of 
        infections, hospitalizations, and deaths which are located in 
        medically underserved areas or areas with a high Social 
        Vulnerability Index, including by using mobile testing units in 
        rural areas and underserved communities; and
            (3) recognizes the need for further investment in efforts 
        to implement longstanding strategies to eliminate health, 
        economic, and social inequities.
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