SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A bill aimed at promoting cultural competency in health care has failed in the state House on a party-line breakdown.
The House voted 30-30 on the measure on Wednesday, with all Democrats voting in favor and all Republicans voting against it. The House is evenly divided between the parties, so Democrats needed support from at least one GOP lawmaker to pass the bill.
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.
