The Virginia Health Professions Subcommittee made significant strides in addressing implicit bias in healthcare during its meeting on January 16, 2025. The committee discussed the urgent need for mandatory implicit bias training for healthcare providers, particularly in light of alarming statistics regarding disparities in maternal health outcomes for Black women.

Dr. Nicole Wardlaw, a certified nurse midwife with 19 years of experience, highlighted the harmful stereotypes that persist in medical training, such as the belief that Black women do not experience pain in the same way as others. She emphasized that implicit bias exists even among healthcare professionals and called for the inclusion of implicit bias training as a continuing education requirement for licensure in Virginia. "If we are putting our hands and touching people, then we need to understand first what biases we have," she stated.

The discussion was further fueled by the recognition of systemic issues in maternal health, with committee members recalling personal stories and broader community experiences that underscore the need for change. Delegate Hayes noted the progress made over the past decade in bringing attention to Black maternal health disparities, expressing hope that the committee could move beyond discussion to actionable solutions.

The committee ultimately voted in favor of House Bill 1649, which aims to address these biases and improve healthcare outcomes for marginalized communities. The bill passed with a vote of 5 to 2, signaling a commitment to fostering a more equitable healthcare system in Virginia.

As the committee prepares to discuss related legislation, the focus remains on ensuring that healthcare providers are equipped to recognize and mitigate their biases, ultimately striving to fulfill the medical community's pledge to "do no harm." This proactive approach is expected to lead to improved health outcomes and greater trust between healthcare providers and the communities they serve.