Representatives Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-Fla.) and Katie Porter (D-Calif.) Dec. 13 introduced the Medical Education for a Diverse America Act (H.R. 5432), which is legislation that reinforces that hospitals can count the time a resident spends in cultural and linguistical competency education training as part of the hospital’s Medicare graduate medical education (GME) full-time equivalency (FTE) calculation.
Upon its introduction, Karen Fisher, JD, chief public policy officer of the AAMC said, “Research shows that cultural and linguistic competence education and training enhances a resident’s communication skills and awareness of biases and health disparities … The AAMC endorses the Medical Education for a Diverse America Act, which would reinforce the impact of this graduate medical education training to enable physicians to provide better care to patients throughout their careers.”
In their press release, Rep. Mucarsel-Powell highlighted how “disparities are exacerbated by the unconscious bias of even the most well-intentioned healthcare professionals. To reach true health equity, we must give our physicians opportunities to pursue culturally appropriate care.” Rep. Porter noted how the legislation would “ensure providers receive training in language literacy and cultural competency.”
- Washington Highlights