SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Democrats in the Oregon House were unable to revive a bill aimed at promoting cultural competency in health care.
This second attempt comes after the measure failed in a party-line vote Wednesday. All 30 Democrats voted in favor and all 30 Republicans voted against it on Thursday.
The bill would have required health licensing agencies to come up with standards for teaching doctors and other providers to respond effectively to people of all cultures, languages and ethnic backgrounds.
Democrats said the bill would help medical professionals respond better to the unique challenges that minorities face.
But Republicans said they were concerned about cost, and licensing boards are free to adopt standards on their own.
