Cassidy introduces bill to provide federal grants for minority health research

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) recently sponsored a bipartisan bill that would increase investments in institutions of higher learning conducting research into minority health disparities.

“As a doctor who worked in Louisiana’s charity hospital system and now a senator, providing quality health care to underserved communities is a priority,” Sen. Cassidy said. “Universities like Xavier in Louisiana are doing great research to address minority health disparities. This legislation supports their efforts.”

The John Lewis National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Endowment Revitalization Act of 2021, S. 320, which Sen. Cassidy introduced on Feb. 12 with cosponsor U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), would amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize the director of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) to make certain research endowments applicable to both current and former Centers of Excellence, according to the congressional record bill summary.

Due to funding shortfalls, NIMHD endowment grants slowed and institutions of higher learning that previously received those grants for 10 years were no longer eligible, resulting in underfunded research at these institutions, according to information provided by Sen. Cassidy’s office.

Originally introduced by the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) during the 116th Congress, the bill would allow NIMHD to resume providing grants for research into minority health disparities, the information says. 

The bill is companion legislation to the same-named H.R. 189, introduced on Jan. 5 by U.S. Reps. Buddy Carter (R-GA) and Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA) in their chamber.