Washington state has two public medical schools: the University of Washington School of Medicine (UWSOM) and the Washington State University College of Medicine (WSUCOM).
The UWSOM was founded in 1946. It has a partnership with Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho (known as WWAMI) to allow medical students from those states to receive medical education through the University of Washington. After completing the first phases of their program in their home state, the partnership allows students to complete clinical rotations in a variety of sites and environments within the five-state region. The partnership is the only five-state medical education program in the country.
The WSUCOM, also known as the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, was created through legislation in 2015. The first cohort of medical students at the WSUCOM began classes in 2017.
Within existing resources, by January 1, 2023, the UWSOM and WSUCOM must develop curriculum on health equity that teaches attitudes, knowledge, and skills to medical students that enable them to effectively care for patients from diverse cultures and communities. The objectives of the curriculum must be to provide tools for eliminating structural racism in health care systems and to build cultural safety. Medical students must complete the diversity course or courses prior to graduating.
Course topics on health equity may include:
Within existing resources, by January 1, 2022, the UWSOM and WSUCOM must develop a goal focused on increasing the number of underrepresented students, guided by the state's need for physicians from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds and each school's predominant equity goals. In developing the goal, special consideration may be given to students attending the UWSOM as a part of WWAMI. Each initial goal must be set for January 1, 2025.
The UWSOM and WSUCOM must report progress toward their goal on an annual basis through their public websites.
(In support) Communities of color have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and other illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes. Studies show that patients are more likely to follow the care recommended by medical providers if the provider shares their background and experience and is sensitive to patients' cultures. This bill ensures that students who graduate from medical schools in Washington understand and can connect with their patients from diverse backgrounds and ensures that schools are working to admit more students from diverse communities.
The medical schools believe that it is imperative for students to receive training for equity and to develop skills to counteract implicit bias. There is existing health equity curriculum but there is more to be done. The current system was not created to favor Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), and this continues today. Personal experiences have shown the need for more diverse training and cultural understanding for physicians.
Reports have shown that there is a shortage of BIPOC physicians. Studies have highlighted the shortage of Latino physicians, and this critical shortage is even more acute during the pandemic and heightens the disparities Latino folks face. The bill establishes a goal, not a quota, that medical schools admit more diverse students as the incoming cohorts do not often reflect the community. The goal will help advance cultural and linguistic care across communities. Latino and Black physicians are more likely to serve in underserved communities.
(Opposed) It seems like the intent of the bill is to create better medical outcomes solely based on the skin color or ethnicity of care providers. Medical doctors and others know that health outcomes have so much more to them than those factors alone. The bill is providing a surface solution. There is uncertainty around how to know when the overall goal is achieved.
No new changes were recommended.
(In support) This bill focuses the attention of institutions of higher education on enriching the pipeline with qualified unrepresented students entering medical schools. If there are only white people in the pipeline there are only white doctors. It is important to enroll students from diverse and underrepresented populations to represent the population of our state. This bill will help promote accountability and health equity for all Washingtonians especially those underserved in communities.
(Opposed) Using government power to require race-based training will not improve society. Other states have declared that no funding will be allocated to these types of curricula. This type of curriculum promotes connection not based on the person, but on the color of their skin. Individuals are filing suit against the use of this type of curriculum and winning.