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EO 13995Executive OrderBiden · D

Executive Order 13995

Ensuring an Equitable Pandemic Response and Recovery

This executive order establishes a COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force within HHS to address disproportionate pandemic impacts on communities of color and underserved populations. It directs federal agencies to assess and modify pandemic response plans for equitable resource allocation, strengthen data collection, and conduct targeted outreach for vaccine trust.

Federal Register Open PDF 86 FR 7193

Impact dates

  1. Short-term data collection recommendations

  2. Task Force final report on ongoing health inequities for COVID-19 survivors

  3. Task Force recommendations to President on mitigating health inequities and preventing future inequities

  4. Task Force automatic termination (2 years from signing unless extended)

  5. Task Force termination 30 days after accomplishing objectives including delivery of reports and recommendations

Key directives

  • Establish COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force within HHS with up to 20 non-federal members
  • Task Force to provide specific recommendations to President through COVID-19 Response Coordinator as soon as practicable on resource allocation, relief funding disbursement, and culturally aligned communication
  • Task Force to submit final report on ongoing inequities for COVID-19 survivors
  • Task Force to develop short-term and long-term data collection recommendations
  • Agency heads to assess and modify pandemic response plans for equitable allocation of PPE, tests, vaccines, therapeutics
  • Secretary of HHS to provide recommendations on contact tracer placement in hardest-hit communities
  • Secretary of HHS to conduct vaccine trust outreach campaign for communities of color and underserved populations
  • Agencies to strengthen enforcement of anti-discrimination requirements for COVID-19 care access
  • Agencies to partner with states/localities/Tribes/territories to expand access to food, housing, child care, income support

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Task Force established within HHS
  • Agency heads directed to consult with Task Force and begin equity assessments

Near term (90d)

  • Task Force to provide specific recommendations to President through COVID-19 Response Coordinator 'as soon as practicable'
  • Development of short-term data collection recommendations

Long term

  • Task Force final report on ongoing health inequities for COVID-19 survivors
  • Long-term recommendations for foundational data challenges and future pandemic preparedness
  • Task Force termination within 2 years or 30 days after completing objectives

Risks & tensions

  • Multiple recommendations are due 'as soon as practicable' — vague timeline reduces accountability
  • Task Force member service without compensation may limit participation from outside experts
  • Implementation contingent on 'existing appropriations' and 'availability of appropriations' — funding constraints
  • Anti-discrimination enforcement relies on existing legal frameworks; no new enforcement mechanisms created
  • Vaccine outreach faces historical mistrust that may not be overcome by campaign alone
Executive Order 13995: Ensuring an Equitable Pandemic Response and Recovery · Executive Orders