Title: MEDS Act
Policy area: Health

Summary:
Medical Equality and Discrimination Stoppage Act or the MEDS Act
This bill prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from discriminating against or providing preferential treatment to any person or group on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, or national origin. The prohibitions also apply to the administration of HHS programs, including HHS-funded programs administered by states, territories, and private entities.
An individual aggrieved by conduct prohibited under the bill may commence a civil action in the appropriate U.S. district court to obtain relief.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6463 Introduced in House (IH)]

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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 
Committee 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 
                          committee 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 Representatives 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''.

SEC. 2. ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY.

    (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services (or any officer, employee, or 
other designee of the Secretary) (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 entered into by the Secretary, award made by the 
        Secretary, 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 discriminate 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 financial assistance.
    (b) States, Territories, and Private Entities.--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 relief, against Secretary or a State, 
        territory, or private 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 available to such a plaintiff under any 
        other State or Federal law.
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