Pintor Marin: NJ Must Have More Diversity in Medical Settings

Assembly Budget Chair Highlights Need for Bias-Free Maternal Health Care

(Trenton) – Following testimony yesterday from New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Shareef Elnahal, M. D., Assembly Budget Committee chairwoman Eliana Pintor Marin (D-Essex) issued the following statement:

“We heard from our Health commissioner that disparities in infant mortality rates cut through income levels and even women of color with high socio-economic status are more at risk because of implicit bias due to underlying stereotypes that providers unintentionally have.

            “I am very happy that the commissioner has made implicit bias training a priority in his Department.

            “There are women of color in our caucus who were not listened to in a hospital setting because of what they looked like and the color of their skin. It’s about time that we started talking about this. I thank Commissioner Elnahal for taking an active role in this conversation.”