Michigan’s Controversial Move Against Implicit Bias Training in Healthcare
In a recent legislative session, a significant measure was passed by Michigan’s Republican-majority state House that aims to eliminate implicit bias training from healthcare licensing requirements within the state. This bill, if enacted, would nullify current mandates requiring such training for state-certified healthcare professionals.
Proponents of the bill, like Representative Matt Maddock (R-Milford), have expressed strong opinions against the training. Maddock described the programs as “divisive, Marxist mental poison,” suggesting that they do not contribute positively to the healthcare system.
On the other hand, the bill has sparked opposition from some healthcare professionals and politicians. Representative Jamie Thompson (R-Brownstown), a practicing nurse, voiced her disapproval, stating, “I practiced my entire career not looking at the color of somebody’s skin, not looking at who their sexual partner was, not looking at how old they were, not looking at their cultural background, but caring for them as a human being.”
Critics of the bill argue that removing these training requirements undermines essential educational safeguards. “This is not cutting red tape. This is cutting safeguards,” stated Representative Kristian Grant (D-Grand Rapids). She emphasized that bias training is instrumental across various professions, particularly in healthcare, to ensure that workers are equipped to make informed decisions in diverse and high-pressure scenarios.
Grant elaborated on the benefits of such training by noting, “It teaches clinicians how to serve patients better across differences in age, ability, ethnicity, gender, and health history. It improves trust, communication, and outcomes. To eliminate this training is to weaken Michigan’s healthcare system for everyone.”
Having passed the House on a party-line vote, the bill is now set to be reviewed by the Democrat-majority state Senate, where it will encounter further debate.
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