SPRINGFIELD, MA— Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement regarding President Biden’s executive order directing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force to consider issuing guidance on best practices to advance cultural competency, language access, and sensitivity towards Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) in the COVID-19 response:
“I’m very glad that the Biden Administration is taking a clear stand against xenophobia and the specific harassment the AAPI community has endured throughout the COVID crisis. It’s also reassuring that the president clearly understands the importance of ensuring that all populations in the United States are able to access timely, accurate information about the pandemic as we work to stop the spread and eradicate the virus. Today’s recommended guidance would further advance health equity while also improving the government’s broader pandemic response. I’m pleased to see this added to the COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force’s charge, and I look forward to working more closely with the Biden Administration to tackle longstanding inequities in the U.S. health care system.”
Earlier this month, Chairman Neal released a new framework detailing Ways and Means Democrats’ commitment to achieving health and economic equity.
