A Michigan House committee is considering legislation that would eliminate state-mandated implicit bias training for health care professionals. The proposal, sponsored by Rep. Matt Maddock (R-Milford), would block the state from requiring the training for new or renewed medical licenses.
The training was created under a 2020 executive directive from Governor Gretchen Whitmer following recommendations from the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities, which cited disproportionate COVID-19 deaths among Black residents. It aims to reduce inequities in treatment and diagnosis across racial and gender lines.
Supporters of House Bill 4915, including members of Do No Harm, argued before the House Economic Competitiveness Committee that such training fosters division and distracts from clinical education. “It’s dangerous, unethical, and wrong,” said Dr. Aida Cerundolo of Do No Harm, claiming the training encourages doctors to judge patients by race or gender.
Opponents, such as Mothering Justice executive director Danielle Atkinson, countered that implicit bias directly affects patient outcomes, including higher maternal mortality rates among Black women. Atkinson urged lawmakers to maintain a “whole-body, whole-community” approach to care.
The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs currently requires two hours of bias training for new licenses and one hour annually for renewals. The bill remains under committee review.
Sources:
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Michigan.gov PDF – Unrated
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