Wimberly, Reynolds-Jackson Bill to Require Hospitals to Report COVID Demographic Data Goes to Governor

(TRENTON)-  In recent weeks, racial disparities in regards to the effect of COVID-19 on minority community has been discussed nationwide. African American communities have been disproportionately affected during the pandemic.

The legislation A-3943 will help New Jersey more efficiently assess the impact of the Coronavirus on its communities by requiring hospitals to report COVID-19 demographic data. The bill was approved 78-0.

The sponsors, Assembly Democrats Benjie Wimberly (D-Bergen, Passaic) and Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D-Mercer, Middlesex, Hunterdon) issued the following joint statement on the bill:

“Decades of systemic poverty, lack of sufficient healthcare and chronic unemployment in our communities, especially black communities, lends to the increased risk of coronavirus hitting residents living below the poverty line harder than others. Those with underlying conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure and other medical conditions are more susceptible to the virus, which are conditions that are very prevalent in communities of color. 

“We can’t gauge an appropriate response without knowing the numbers. Requiring hospitals to compile demographic data will help us zero in on the communities who have suffered the most during this pandemic and to figure out what must be done to protect them as we continue to fight COVID-19.”