Davis Bill Addresses Maternal Health Outcome Disparities

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — On Thursday, state Rep. Lisa Davis, D-Chicago, passed a measure through the House that will improve outcomes for all mothers and babies in the state of Illinois by providing doctors, doulas and other maternal healthcare providers with implicit bias training.

“Our healthcare professionals should listen to patients and do their best to assist them, but oftentimes patients, especially those from certain backgrounds, have serious needs ignored from a place of unconscious bias,” said Davis. “This bill raises the bar for our healthcare workforce and will produce better results for families and communities everywhere.”

Davis’ House Bill 2517 will direct the department that healthcare professionals report to develop and implement a directive that will ensure all maternal healthcare professionals receive training
on implicit bias. The bill is intended to address longstanding disparities and outcomes for mothers of marginalized racial groups. For example, there is the Black Maternal Health Crisis. Black mothers are at a higher risk of death, stillbirth and other serious complications during pregnancy when compared to their white counterparts.

House Bill 2517 passed the House with bipartisan support and now heads to the Senate for further consideration.