Republican Sen. Chris Head of Virginia, despite having campaigned heavily against critical race theory (CRT) in the past, has sponsored a bill that would require nurses to complete “racial bias” training. I support it.

About Head’s “Traditional Values” section WebsiteThe newspaper said the Virginia senator regularly fights for “legislation to limit government interference in everyday life” and “opposes the radical teaching of cathode ray tubes in public schools.” .Nevertheless, the head continues to push Senate Bill 35This requires nurses to “complete ongoing learning activities on unconscious bias and cultural competency” if they wish to renew their license. (Related: Establishment Republicans seek to bring new state-level Freedom Caucuses to their knees)

“The board shall promulgate regulations requiring the completion of unconscious bias and cultural competency training to be included in the continuing competency requirements for renewal of a valid license,” the bill reads. ing. “The board shall designate an organization to identify and promote evidence-based curriculum for compliance with this act.”

Head is a co-sponsor of SB 35 along with Democratic state Sens. Jennifer Carroll Foy and Mamie Locke. The bill passed unanimously Wednesday through the Senate Appropriations Committee, which includes five Republicans, and the full Senate. I voted The state Senate's website says it is expected to pass unanimously on Thursday.

“Studies show that racial disparities in health care have a dramatic impact on maternal and child mortality,” Head told the Daily Caller News Foundation in a statement Thursday. “Our law is focused on addressing these issues to ensure that all mothers and babies receive the best possible care. Our focus is on making sure they receive the best care possible.”

The bill also states that initial training for nurses should focus on redressing “racial bias” while providing pregnancy care.

“[T]The initial unconscious bias and cultural competency training required pursuant to Section 1 of the Act is comprehensive and covers how unconscious racial bias impacts pregnancy and postpartum care. It must be something you do. ' is stated in the text.

“There is no correlation between this and CRT, which is a curriculum that seeks to indoctrinate children,” Head told DCNF.

“This training is necessary to ensure that the lives of mothers and children are saved,” Head said. “By requiring health care providers to adhere to basic training, we will ensure that all patients receive the best care possible. Our focus is on saving the baby’s life.”

But Dr. Kenneth Lipstock, an ophthalmologist in Richmond, told DCNF that the law is not necessary.

“There is no evidence to support the myth of implicit bias,” Lipstock said. “These types of laws undermine the medical field and reinforce the racial divisions they purport to combat.” “Driving a wedge between doctors and patients is dangerous and undermines the oath we all take to fight for patients, no matter what they look like or where they come from.”

Head, who served as a state representative from 2012 to 2023, said during his April 2023 Senate campaign that the government “doesn't need to indoctrinate, it needs to educate.” according to Local media news leader. He also disputed claims that CRT is only practiced in higher education, saying he believed it was taught more widely.

In 2022, during his term as a delegate, Head also I voted agree with House Bill 787 This means that schools “(i) promote the belief that one race or gender is inherently superior to another” or that “individuals are It is now illegal to “promote beliefs that are inherently racist or sexist.” or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously,” the text states.invoice passed it It narrowly passed in the state House of Representatives on a 50-49 vote with Republicans voting unanimously to repeal the bill.

Do No Harm executive director Christina Rasmussen, a Virginia resident, told DCNF that the bill is “pure political indoctrination.”

“Our doctors and nurses dedicate their lives to caring for patients. Making them sit through reeducation sessions and profess unconscious bias is humiliating, wasteful, and exacerbates the provider shortage.” “Virginia should heed Kentucky's warning,” Rasmussen said. “The Board of Nursing (whose members are appointed by the Democratic governor) recently rescinded the bias training requirement for nurses after it was widely condemned. They didn't want to be paid to spend their precious time sitting through PowerPoint – and let me be clear – that's 'unconscious bias' training.”

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