NCUIH Endorses COVID-19 Bias and Anti-Racism Training Act from Senator Harris

Category: Policy Blog
written by NCUIH | July 15, 2020
On July 14, Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) released the NCUIH endorsed COVID-19 Bias and Anti Racism Training Act. This bill was introduced in order to address the persistent bias in the U.S. healthcare system against Black and Brown people. COVID-19 is disproportionately infecting and killing minority groups, including American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs).
“Our world has spent the past few months embroiled in battle against a pandemic that is disproportionately affecting communities of color,” said Francys Crevier, Executive Director of the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH). “The structures which created this country left a legacy of systemic racism that has directly affected the health and well-being of our communities. While the pandemic has only cast a cloud on our communities more recently, Black Americans and Native Americans have been battling for equity for generations. Senator Harris has been a committed leader who is breaking down the structures that have created needless disparities for Black and Brown communities. We hope Congress will act quickly to pass this important legislation to bring more resources to the families who need it most right now.”
The bill would:
  1.  Create a $200 million grant program for hospitals; other health care providers; state, local, Tribal, and territorial public health departments; and urban Indian organizations to establish or improve bias and anti-racism training programs for health care providers treating COVID-19 patients
  2. Prioritize funding for entities in communities with high racial and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, ICU admission, and death rates.
  3.  Require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to collaborate with health care professionals, policy experts specializing in addressing bias and racism within the health care system, and community-based organizations to develop requirements for evidence-based, ongoing bias and anti-racism training.