New Training Rules Target Racial Disparities in NJ Maternal Health

NJ Officials Propose Bias Training for Healthcare Providers to Improve Maternal and Infant Care

NEW JERSEY - In an attempt to tackle racial disparities in maternal and infant health, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Consumer Affairs announced new proposed rules that mandate bias training for healthcare professionals involved in perinatal care. Announced today and published in the New Jersey Register, these rules specifically aim to enhance the quality of care for women of color throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period.

The regulations require physicians, nurses, and midwives, as well as physician assistants as per a rule published previously on June 17, 2024, to engage in both implicit and explicit bias training. This training is designed to identify and mitigate the prejudices and stereotypes that can adversely affect healthcare outcomes.

“Despite advances in medical care, women of color from across the income spectrum and from all walks of life are dying from pregnancy-related complications at much higher rates than white women,” said Attorney General Platkin.

This initiative stems from P.L. 2021, c.079, legislation signed by Governor Phil Murphy, which is part of broader efforts to decrease maternal and infant mortality rates across New Jersey. The legislation also aims to ensure equitable care across all demographics.

“For far too long, far too many expecting mothers of color have been disrespected, overlooked, and underserved during their pregnancies and birthing experiences. Our Administration has made it a priority to trust women and to root out these injustices through a number of means. Today’s rule proposal is a critical addition to that list,” said Governor Murphy.

“In order to achieve our goal of reducing racial disparities in birth outcomes, it’s important that each and every mother receive culturally competent care from their health care providers,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “Today’s rule proposal by Attorney General Platkin and the Division of Consumer Affairs is a necessary step that builds on the work of the Nurture NJ initiative. The knowledge obtained through these trainings will help ensure members of an expecting mother’s care team approach their essential work without prejudice or bias. These steps will further advance New Jersey’s mission to become the safest and most equitable state in the nation to deliver and raise a baby.”

Current requirements already mandate continuing education for biennial licensure by the State Board of Medical Examiners and the New Jersey Board of Nursing. The proposed additions would include a mandatory hour of training on explicit and implicit biases as part of these education credits.

Outlined in the proposed regulations are comprehensive topics the training programs must cover. These include recognizing unconscious biases and misinformation, understanding the barriers to inclusion, and the impacts of historical oppression on minority communities. The courses also aim to improve communication across diverse racial, ethnic, religious, and gender identities, and discuss the effects of power dynamics in healthcare settings.

These rules are a direct response to recommendations from the Nurture NJ Maternal and Infant Health Strategic Plan, emphasizing the need for ongoing education on implicit bias among healthcare professionals.

“Systemic racism and implicit bias are not myths, and have contributed to a long history of racial and ethnic disparities in preventable pregnancy-related deaths. While some progress has been made, especially through the dedicated work of the Murphy Administration, significant work still remains to reduce disparities,” said Health Commissioner Kaitlan Baston, MD. “Requiring implicit and explicit bias training is another step in the right direction to help close the gap in maternal health care quality and to ensure safe and equitable maternal outcomes for all birthing people in New Jersey.”

“Time and time again, we have heard from women of color who have had their concerns ignored or neglected when receiving maternal health care services simply due to prejudices and biases surrounding the color of their skin. Today, we move closer to a reality where all mothers receive the culturally competent care that they deserve,” said Lisa Asare, President and Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority. “The rules proposed by the Attorney General Platkin and his office seek to ensure that all women receive unbiased maternal care and respect regardless of who they are.”

Public feedback is invited, with a 60-day comment period now open for stakeholders to voice their opinions. The comment periods for physicians, nurses, and midwives will conclude on September 13, 2024, while the period for physician assistants will end earlier on August 16, 2024.

Following the public commentary phase, a review of the feedback will be conducted, with a Notice of Adoption detailing the final rules and responses to public comments expected to be published in 2025. These rules will become enforceable 90 days after their adoption, marking a pivotal step towards reducing healthcare disparities and improving maternal and infant health outcomes in New Jersey.