Slaughter Backs Measure to Crack Down on Patient Discrimination

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To protect the rights of patients and ensure that no one is denied treatment during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, recently supported legislation to help addresses implicit bias in medicine.

“In the midst of an ongoing public health crisis, we must make sure that we do everything we can to make sure that every resident of our state has access to health care,” said Slaughter. “All Illinoisans, regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, age or level of ability, are entitled to receiving quality health care.”

The Slaughter-supported House Bill 3155, which recently passed the House and awaits consideration the Senate, will prohibit health professionals from denying treatment or making treatment decisions based on stereotypes related to the patient’s race, gender, sex, age, disability or marital status. In addition, the measure would ensure that patients will no longer be denied treatment at emergency health treatment centers because of their identity. The bill seeks to eliminate unconscious bias and its effects in the medical community by ensuring that health professionals make decisions based on objective medical observations.

“It is incumbent on all of us to do our part in dismantling systemic racism in all parts of our society, and that includes medicine and health care,” said Slaughter. “While we have taken critical steps forward in our fight for equality, more work remains to be done. I look forward to continuing to fight for an Illinois where all communities are uplifted and supported.”