March 29, 2024
March 2024 – Health Advocate Insights
March 29, 2024
Health Advocate Insights
Welcome to the third edition of the Social Mission Alliance’s Health Advocate Insights where we examine and report on the most recent developments in health workforce and education issues! While there is plenty to be excited by with the drive towards increasing access to care and growing interest in the spread of social mission in the health workforce, it is clear that not all members of society share this interest and that some of those in power are actively trying to push back against it.
The last several weeks has seen several concerning developments in the anti-DEI movement. In Alabama, the state’s governor, Kay Ivey, signed a bill that would prohibit public schools, school boards, and universities from funding or establishing DEI programs. It also prohibits the teaching of certain “divisive” concepts, and allows state and local school boards to terminate employees found in violation of the law. Federally, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce is considering a bill that would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit medical schools from receiving financial assistance if they adopt certain DEI policies. It would also require accreditation agencies to show that they do not require schools to adopt similar policies. While the act has received a number of co-sponsors, it has not yet left the committee and is likely to fall flat in the face of a one vote Republican majority in the House and Democratic majority in the Senate. Both of these are reflective of a broader effort by far right conservatives to roll back decades of progress in civil rights over the past half century.
Edward Salsberg on Spectrum News 1 reiterating that DEI programs in medical schools “doesn’t mean you’re admitting or supporting unqualified students.”
What's going on in Washington, DC?
The Supreme Court recently denied an emergency petition to review whether US military academies may consider race as a factor in admissions decisions. Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA), the same plaintiffs in the Harvard and UNC affirmative action cases, argued that the academies didn’t need to take race into account in their admissions decisions as it was unrelated to military service. In the denial of the emergency petition, Chief Justice Roberts noted that diversity presents a “potentially distinct interest” in the context of military academies. While the opinion did not explain that interest explicitly, the Solicitor General, Elizabeth Prelogar, noted that military leaders frequently note the importance of diversity in the Army officer corps as a matter of national security. Importantly, as this case was decided on the shadow docket, there is no new legal precedent established through this case as it does not evaluate any particular constitutional question.
The Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on the President’s Healthcare agenda. The hearing highlighted the President’s efforts to target excessive healthcare costs including the lowering of drug prices, telehealth coverage extensions, and reimbursement reforms. Discussions of health professions and infrastructure was mostly limited to the need to expand rural healthcare infrastructure. Senator Menendez (D-NJ) also noted his concerns about CMS’s process for allocating Medicare-backed residency slots.
While there has not been an unveiling of the administration’s health workforce plans under a second term, HHS officials visited several medical schools during residency match day during which they highlighted the administration’s efforts to invest in diversity in the health workforce. Speaking at Meharry Medical College, HRSA Administrator, Carole Johnson, noted “HRSA will continue to lead the effort to build the next generation of the health care workforce with a focus on meeting critical community needs like primary care, maternal health and behavioral health care.”
Secretary Xavier Becerra stands with Howard University College of Medicine faculty for Match Day. Photo from @SecBecerra via X
What's going on in the states?
The Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, recently signed a law that would decertify public sector unions – including higher education staff – if fewer than 60% of members paid dues. The law also forbids these unions from deducting membership dues from paychecks. So far, the law has led to the decertification of about 20 higher education unions in the state. While the decertified unions so far only represent non-teaching staff, the Union Faculty of Florida noted that 32% of the states 34 bargaining units have not met the 60% threshold to stay valid under the law. Notably, the state of Florida has been frequently cited as one of the most hostile states towards academic freedom and higher education independence. With state policies attacking DEI, the state has become a blueprint for conservative states seeking to undermine the advances made in higher education equity and quality.
Across the country, California has made strides towards equity in their own higher education system. The Hire UP program is providing monthly cash payments to community college students who are either formerly incarcerated, foster youth, or came from households with parents receiving money from CalWORKS, the state’s TANF program. The program received $30 million in funding from the state’s 2022 budget. Students receive $16 per hour with total hours based on their course load. Currently, there are no restrictions on how the money may be spent; however, students must be enrolled at least part-time. Research has shown that a startling number of undergraduate students experience food insecurity and homelessness. Likewise, foster youth and formerly incarcerated students are more likely to drop out of college.
Community college in California, Contra Costa College. Image via Interactive Resources
What else are we reading?
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CMS expands access to behavioral health expanding Nurse Advice Lines
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Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers wants to reform Medicare reimbursement rates for doctors
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California’s Proposition 1 passes increasing access to behavioral healthcare for homeless
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University workers seek to form a national union focused on threats to higher education
What can you act on today?
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Sign the petition to save Beth Israel Hospital – A grassroots coalition of community members and health professionals are working to prevent Mount Sinai’s closure of Beth Israel Hospital in lower Manhattan. Beth Israel is the last community hospital in the area and its closure stands to severely limit inpatient healthcare access in lower Manhattan from Canal street to 23rd street. A group of concerned citizens is pushing for a state bill that would require hospital systems to have community input when deciding on hospital closures.
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Attend the Social Mission Alliance Conference – Come connect with social mission advocates from across the nation at the upcoming convening in Durham, NC this April.
As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of state and federal policies, it’s clear our mission is more important than ever. We look forward to your continued support and involvement in our journey to build a more equitable and inclusive health workforce. Together we can drive meaningful change for our communities and the future of healthcare.
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