Bill to Address Health Disparities, Enhance Equity Advances with Bipartisan Support!

Legislation would establish program to impact social determinants of health among marginalized communities

Denver, CO – Today, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee approved legislation sponsored by Senator Rhonda Fields that seeks to address health disparities and enhance equity in underrepresented communities across Colorado. 

“Marginalized communities are disproportionately impacted by health issues. From lack of access to care to overexposure to toxins, low-income families and people of color face tremendous burdens when it comes to their health, ” said Senator Rhonda Fields (D-Aurora), Senate Chair of the Health & Human Services Committee. “In order to achieve health equity in our communities, we need to take steps to create social and physical environments that promote the health and well-being of all, no matter their socioeconomic status.” 

SB21-181 would establish the Health Disparities and Community Grant Program, which will award money for the purposes of positively affecting social determinants of health to reduce the risk of future disease and health conditions in underrepresented populations.

The bill would also require the Office of Health Equity to work with state agencies on a plan to address social determinants of health in each agency's respective area. The Office would then author a report every 2 years, outlining their finding and strategies for improvement. 

Having passed the Senate Health & Human Services Committee, the bill now moves to the Appropriations Committee for consideration. Track the progress of the bill here.