Doctors Must Do Equity Training To Keep License In Washington State Under New Law

Washington state now requires physicians to take health equity classes on a regular basis or lose their licenses.

Doctors, nurses, dentists, veterinarians, and other health professionals are required to complete health equity “continuing education” under a new state law that went into effect in December.

Proponents of health equity claim that health differences between demographic groups are the result of systemic oppression and discrimination.

The health equity classes teach doctors about “structural factors” like “bias, racism, and poverty” that manifest as “health inequities.” The classes must also involve “self-reflection” on how a doctor’s “social position can influence their relationship with patients.”

Depending on the class, doctors will also take “implicit bias training” to reduce their bias during diagnosis, learn how to ensure “equity and antiracism” in caring for their patients, and learn “structural humility.” Doctors will also learn how to recognize “patterns of health care disparities” and how “communication styles differ across cultures,” as well as take “cultural safety training.”

“These skills enable a health care professional to care effectively for patients from diverse cultures, groups, and communities, varying in race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexuality, religion, age, ability, socioeconomic status, and other categories of identity,” the new law states.

Healthcare workers must take at least two hours of health equity training every four years, although some Washington medical boards require more hours, the Washington Department of Health confirmed in an email.

One of the available health equity classes is titled “Racism, Bias, and Other Determinants of Health,” and another is “Improving Cultural Competency for Behavioral Health Professionals.”

Washington’s health department is clear that “equity and equality are not the same.”

“Equality gives everyone the same resources while equity gives people the resources they need,” the health department’s website states. “With equity, everyone has the same opportunities as others. Research shows that inequities are part of the health care system and have always existed.”

Am I Racist? Is In Theaters NOW — Get Your Tickets Here!

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has become ubiquitous in many workplaces, including the corporate world, education, and government. In recent years, health equity has popped up more in state and hospital medical policies.

One Boston hospital cited “health equity” in its decision earlier this year to stop filing child abuse reports for pregnant mothers using drugs because “Black pregnant people are more likely to be drug tested.”

Back in 2022, at least three states, New York, Minnesota, and Utah, prioritized minorities for often scarce COVID remedies like monoclonal antibodies and oral antivirals.

Affirmative action, another DEI objective, was struck down by the Supreme Court last year, but some are still pushing for doctors to be recruited based on their race.

The Mayo Clinic’s legal counsel was caught on audio last month saying that without a “diverse medical staff,” they “can’t effectively provide the best culturally competent care to our patient population.”