Requires cultural awareness and competence training for all medical professionals as part of their licensing requirements; public ed program; appropriation

Summary of provisions

Section 1 Amends the education law by adding a new section 6505-d. Requires every physician, physician assistant, dentist, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, podiatrist, optometrist and dental hygienist practicing in the state to complete on or before July first, two thousand thirteen and every two years thereafter, course work or training appropriate to the professional's practice approved by the department regarding cultural awareness and competence in the nondiscriminatory provision of medical services.

Section 2 Amends Section 2805-k(1)(f) of the Public Health Law. Requires physicians, dentists or podiatrists to document the completion of cultural awareness and competency training. Prohibits hospitals or facilities from granting or renewing professional privileges if such medical professional has not completed the required training.

Section 3 Amends section 206 of the Public Health Law by adding a new subdivision 29. Authorizes the Commissioner of Health to develop and implement a statewide, community-based public health education program to reduce disparities in minority health care.

Section 4 Appropriation

Section 5 Effective Date

Justification

The Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities in the U.S. Centers of Disease Control (CDC) reports that:

o Even though the Nation's infant mortality rate is down, the infant death rate among African Americans is still more than double that of whites;

o Hispanics living in the United States are almost twice as likely to die from diabetes than non-Hispanic whites; and,

o American Indians and Alaska Natives suffer from diabetes at more than twice the rate of whites.

According to the New York State Department of Health "Health disparities are deep and pervasive in New York State, as they are in almost every state in the nation. Some racial and ethnic minority groups, people with low incomes and/or language barriers, people who live in underserved communities, and many others have poorer health from birth (e.g., infant mortality) to death (e.g., premature deaths). Across the lifespan, they suffer higher rates of disease and disability. And these problems begin early, adding to the erosion of opportunity for children who often face a constellation of other social and economic challenges. As a result, disparities have a devastating human and economic impact on the state.

Health Disparities in New York City (2004, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene) reported that:

o Factors associated with poor health, such as poor access to medical care, unhealthy behaviors, and poor living conditions, are more common among certain economic and racial/ethnic groups.

o In every racial/ethnic group, poor New Yorkers are the most likely to not have received needed medical care in the past year.

o Wealthy New Yorkers are about twice as likely to exercise as poor New Yorkers.

o 94% of elevated blood lead cases in children in New York City are among African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians.

Evidence suggests that a more culturally competent health workforce is one way to address problems associated with health care disparities by improving access to care. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality likewise reported "that a lack of attention to cultural issues reacts to less than optimal care and addressing these concerns or using certain cultural competence interventions leads to improved outcomes." Washington, New Jersey, California are among the states that currently require cultural awareness and competency training for its healthcare workforce.

This bill addresses the problems associated with health care disparities by requiring medical professionals to complete required

course work in cultural awareness and competency training as part of their licensing requirements.

Legislative history

2011: S.118 - Discharged from Finance and Committed to Health/A.1434 - Referred to Higher Education 2009-10: S.3129 - Referred to Higher Education/A.8843 - Referred to Higher Education 2007-08: S.765 - Referred to Finance

Fiscal implications

$100,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary, to be appropriated from the state treasury.

Local fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

Immediately.