Health legislation to focus on equity, social determinants of health

Rep. Lauren Underwood (D- Ill.), photo courtesy of WTTW
Error message
In order to filter by the "in queue" property, you need to add the Entityqueue: Queue relationship.-
County NewsMomnibus Act sponsor Rep. Lauren Underwood: “As we enact policies and implement strategies to end this pandemic, we also must take bold action to rebuild our healthcare system and public health infrastructure on a foundation of equity."Health legislation to focus on equity, social determinants of health
-
County News Article
Health legislation to focus on equity, social determinants of health
Members of NACo’s Health Policy Steering Committee March 10 discussed health legislation and social determinants of health in this year’s policy priorities.
One health priority focuses on enhancing counties’ abilities to improve health equity and address social and economic conditions that drive health outcomes.
Committee members heard from Rep. Lauren Underwood (D- Ill.) who championed the Black Maternal Health “Momnibus” Act of 2021, a series of 12 bills, with Sen. Cory Booker (D- N.J.)
The “Momnibus” Act would extend postpartum Medicaid coverage for moms, address environmental risks to maternal and infant health outcomes and provide grants to local public health departments to address social determinants of health in communities.
Underwood told committee members during NACo’s Virtual Legislative Conference that the pandemic has shined a light on these racial and ethnic health disparities.
“As we enact policies and implement strategies to end this pandemic, we also must take bold action to rebuild our healthcare system and public health infrastructure on a foundation of equity,” she said.
Black moms are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related problems, Underwood said, stating the new legislation includes critical investments in funding community-based organizations, growing and diversifying the perinatal workforce and improving data collection.
Underwood said the 12 bills in the Momnibus Act will save lives, end disparities and achieve maternal health equity.
Another NACo health priority focuses on protecting the Federal-State-Local Medicaid partnership. This priority opposes cost shift measures that would reduce federal support that would flow to counties and focuses on protecting flexibilities that allow counties to finance the non-federal share of the program and increase fiscal support during economic downturns.
Sen. Bob Casey (D- Pa.) and Rep. Susie Lee (D- Nev.) recently reintroduced the Coronavirus Medicaid Response Act. The bill would tie federal increases of Medicaid to state economic trends and require increases be sub-allocated to counties that contribute to the non-fiscal share of Medicaid.
In a message to the committee, Casey highlighted how Medicaid supports 70 million Americans with even more people turning to coverage since the pandemic.
“Medicaid isn’t just some program,” he said. “Medicaid tells us who we are and whom we value, whether it’s children or working families or individuals with disabilities or seniors in nursing homes.”
He said this legislation will create a more responsive process for supporting state Medicaid programs and tie federal Medicaid increases to state unemployment rates. When unemployment goes up, the need for Medicaid is more pronounced, he said.
The bill will also help states and counties plan their budgets and keep individuals covered as well as prevent cuts to provider reimbursements during economic downturns.
“We’re Americans,” he said. “We care about one another… and Medicaid helps us care for those who are vulnerable.”
Momnibus Act sponsor Rep. Lauren Underwood: “As we enact policies and implement strategies to end this pandemic, we also must take bold action to rebuild our healthcare system and public health infrastructure on a foundation of equity."2021-03-11County News Article2021-03-17
Members of NACo’s Health Policy Steering Committee March 10 discussed health legislation and social determinants of health in this year’s policy priorities.
One health priority focuses on enhancing counties’ abilities to improve health equity and address social and economic conditions that drive health outcomes.
Committee members heard from Rep. Lauren Underwood (D- Ill.) who championed the Black Maternal Health “Momnibus” Act of 2021, a series of 12 bills, with Sen. Cory Booker (D- N.J.)
The “Momnibus” Act would extend postpartum Medicaid coverage for moms, address environmental risks to maternal and infant health outcomes and provide grants to local public health departments to address social determinants of health in communities.
Underwood told committee members during NACo’s Virtual Legislative Conference that the pandemic has shined a light on these racial and ethnic health disparities.
“As we enact policies and implement strategies to end this pandemic, we also must take bold action to rebuild our healthcare system and public health infrastructure on a foundation of equity,” she said.
Black moms are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related problems, Underwood said, stating the new legislation includes critical investments in funding community-based organizations, growing and diversifying the perinatal workforce and improving data collection.
Underwood said the 12 bills in the Momnibus Act will save lives, end disparities and achieve maternal health equity.
Another NACo health priority focuses on protecting the Federal-State-Local Medicaid partnership. This priority opposes cost shift measures that would reduce federal support that would flow to counties and focuses on protecting flexibilities that allow counties to finance the non-federal share of the program and increase fiscal support during economic downturns.
Sen. Bob Casey (D- Pa.) and Rep. Susie Lee (D- Nev.) recently reintroduced the Coronavirus Medicaid Response Act. The bill would tie federal increases of Medicaid to state economic trends and require increases be sub-allocated to counties that contribute to the non-fiscal share of Medicaid.
In a message to the committee, Casey highlighted how Medicaid supports 70 million Americans with even more people turning to coverage since the pandemic.
“Medicaid isn’t just some program,” he said. “Medicaid tells us who we are and whom we value, whether it’s children or working families or individuals with disabilities or seniors in nursing homes.”
He said this legislation will create a more responsive process for supporting state Medicaid programs and tie federal Medicaid increases to state unemployment rates. When unemployment goes up, the need for Medicaid is more pronounced, he said.
The bill will also help states and counties plan their budgets and keep individuals covered as well as prevent cuts to provider reimbursements during economic downturns.
“We’re Americans,” he said. “We care about one another… and Medicaid helps us care for those who are vulnerable.”

-
Blog
Addressing social determinants of health with GIS technology
Discover the transformative power of GIS technology in addressing social determinants of health and building healthier communities. -
Blog
New CDC data reveals rates of poor mental health and suicidality on the rise for youth in the U.S.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2011-2019, which provides data on health-related behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death amongst youth and adults. -
Blog
HHS releases guidance on the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
On February 9, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released new guidance on the agency’s plan to end the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency declaration on May 11, 2023. -
Blog
Addressing Disparities in STI Screening With At-Home Testing
Let's work together to increase access to STI screening and care through innovative solutions such as at-home testing and improve health equity for all. -
Blog
CMS approves first-ever MIEP waiver for the state of California
On January 26, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, approved a first-of-its-kind Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program section 1115 demonstration amendment in California, which will connect justice-involved people in jails and prisons with community-based Medicaid providers 90 days before their release to ensure continuity of care upon return to the community. -
Reports & Toolkits
The County Role In Long-Term Care
County governments play an essential role in ensuring the health and safety of older Americans and individuals with disabilities as key administrators of safety net programs and services.
-
Webinar
County Leaders Championing Justice Efforts in Local Communities
April 5, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmCounties are directing resources to programs, practices and policies to reduce the overuse and misuse of the criminal legal system, improve public safety, better serve residents with behavioral health conditions and improve community stability and health.04052:00 pm<p>Counties are directing resources to programs, practices and policies to reduce the overuse and misuse of the criminal legal system, improve public safety, better serve residents with behavioral health conditions and improve communit
-
Basic page
The Stepping Up Initiative
In May 2015, NACo and partners at the CSG Justice Center and APA Foundation launched Stepping Up: A National Initiative to Reduce the Number of People with Mental Illnesses in Jails.pagepagepage<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="call-out">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td> -
Reports & Toolkits
COVID-19 Recovery Clearinghouse
The COVID-19 Recovery Clearinghouse features timely resources for counties, including allocation estimations, examples of county programs using federal coronavirus relief funds, the latest news and more.Reports & Toolkitsdocument03127:15 pmReports & Toolkits<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="ad-block no-top-margin no-bullets">
<caption>Jump to Section</caption> -
Basic page
Live Healthy U.S. Counties
The National Association of Counties (NACo) Live Healthy Prescription, Health & Dental Discount Program is a NO-COST program available to all member counties.pagepagepage<h1>With <a id="naco" name="naco">NACo</a>, Saving Feels Better</h1>
-
Reports & Toolkits
Opioid Solutions Center
NACo’s Opioid Solutions Center empowers local leaders to invest resources in effective treatment, recovery, prevention and harm reduction practices that save lives and address the underlying causes of substance use disorder.Reports & Toolkitsdocument10123:30 pmReports & Toolkits<p>NACo's Opioid Solutions Center empowers local leaders to invest resources in effective treatment, recovery, prevention and harm reduction practices that save lives and address the underlying causes of substance use disorder.
Contact
Related Resources
-
Blog
Addressing social determinants of health with GIS technology
Discover the transformative power of GIS technology in addressing social determinants of health and building healthier communities. -
Blog
New CDC data reveals rates of poor mental health and suicidality on the rise for youth in the U.S.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2011-2019, which provides data on health-related behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death amongst youth and adults. -
Blog
HHS releases guidance on the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
On February 9, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released new guidance on the agency’s plan to end the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency declaration on May 11, 2023.
-
Reports & Toolkits
The County Role In Long-Term Care
County governments play an essential role in ensuring the health and safety of older Americans and individuals with disabilities as key administrators of safety net programs and services. -
Reports & Toolkits
Legislative Analysis for Counties: The Inflation Reduction Act
The IRA offers counties the opportunity to pursue clean energy initiatives and reduce emissions through new competitive grant programs, local resiliency investments and clean energy tax credits. -
Press Release
National Association of Counties Announces Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing
New initiative brings together county leaders to drive action on nation’s mental health crisis
Related Events
-
5Apr2023Webinar
County Leaders Championing Justice Efforts in Local Communities
Apr. 5, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
More From
-
Legislative Analysis for Counties: The Inflation Reduction Act
The IRA offers counties the opportunity to pursue clean energy initiatives and reduce emissions through new competitive grant programs, local resiliency investments and clean energy tax credits.
Learn More