Health and Education, Leadership and Civic Engagement, Policy Updates

How To: Testify in Support of the Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act

by Maya Ward on Feb 12, 2021

On Thursday, February 18th at 9:00 AM EST the House 3-M Social Services, Mental Health and Children’s Affairs subcommittee will have a hearing on H.3225, the South Carolina Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act.

This bill would require hospitals, birthing centers, and any primary care health clinics in the state that deliver perinatal care to implement an evidence-based implicit bias program for all health care providers involved in the perinatal care of patients within those facilities.

What is implicit bias? Implicit bias means a bias in judgment or behavior that results from subtle cognitive processes, including implicit prejudice and implicit stereotypes that often operate at a level below conscious awareness and without intentional control.

Implicit bias is a key cause that drives health disparities in communities of color, which must be addressed. Implicit bias training would go a long way towards reducing existing health disparities and decreasing South Carolina’s alarming maternal mortality rates.

Testifying

During the hearing, the general public will have the chance to provide testimony about the bill.

VIRTUAL TESTIMONY will happen via Microsoft Teams. To sign up, please email 3M4SMC@schouse.gov by Monday, February 15, 2021 at 5:00 pm to receive a Microsoft Teams invitation.

PRE-WRITTEN TESTIMONY can be submitted to 3M4SMC@schouse.gov no later than Monday, February 15, 2021 at 5:00 pm.

During the hearing, you can watch the live stream here.

Testimony Tips

Not ready or able to testify but still want to take action on this bill? Act now to ask subcommittee members to vote YES on H.3225.

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