Why is Youngkin hesitant to reject bill mandating ‘unconscious bias’ DEI lectures for health workers
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Commitment to Removing Neo-Marxist Ideologies
During his 2021 campaign, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin made a bold promise to eradicate neo-Marxist ideologies from state institutions. However, there seems to be a contradiction in his stance as he hesitates to veto a bill that mandates “unconscious bias” training for medical practitioners to maintain their licenses.
The bill in question, Senate Bill 35, was passed by the Democrat-controlled General Assembly last month. It aims to enforce “unconscious bias” and “cultural competency” training for health practitioners when renewing their medical licenses. Additionally, the bill requires the selection of specific organizations to provide evidence-based curriculum for compliance.
“That the first unconscious bias and cultural competency training required pursuant to § 1 of this act shall be comprehensive and cover how unconscious racial bias affects care during pregnancy and the postpartum period,” the bill states. “Subsequent unconscious bias and cultural competency training shall provide relevant practice-related content as determined by the Board.”
Surprisingly, S.B. 35 received significant support from Republicans, despite Virginia Democrats holding one-seat majorities in the House of Delegates and Senate. The bill passed the Senate with the backing of 15 Republicans (36-4) and all 21 Democrats. In the House, it cleared with a 57-41 vote, with six Republicans voting in favor and two abstaining.
Although primarily sponsored by Democrats, S.B. 35 also has GOP Sen. Christopher Head as a co-sponsor. However, Head’s previous opposition to critical race theory (CRT) raises questions about his support for this bill.
Unconscious bias training, which is a component of CRT, has been proven scientifically inaccurate and unreliable. Researchers who developed such tests have even repudiated them as wildly inaccurate. These trainings falsely claim to uncover hidden racism in people’s souls, smearing individuals on false and unscientific grounds.
When asked about Youngkin’s stance on signing S.B. 35 into law, his Press Secretary Christian Martinez stated that the governor is currently reviewing the legislation and observing how the General Assembly prioritizes other important matters.
Youngkin campaigned on eliminating racialist ideologies like CRT from state schools, and upon taking office, he signed an executive order banning the use of divisive concepts, including CRT, in K-12 public education. However, investigations have revealed that these neo-Marxist ideologies are not limited to education but have also infiltrated the medical field and other American institutions.
Youngkin has until March 8 to decide whether he will veto S.B. 35, a crucial decision that will determine the future of unconscious bias training in Virginia.
Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. His work has been featured in various outlets, including RealClearPolitics, RealClearHealth, and Conservative Review. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood.
Why do critics argue that unconscious bias training programs may be influenced by ideological biases and negatively impact medical professionals?
M various medical organizations and advocacy groups, including the Virginia Academy of Family Physicians and the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association. These organizations argue that unconscious bias training is essential to addressing disparities in healthcare and improving patient outcomes, especially for marginalized communities.
However, Gov. Youngkin’s initial campaign promises to remove neo-Marxist ideologies from state institutions seem to clash with his reluctance to veto this bill. Neo-Marxism is a term often used to describe a set of ideas and theories that blend aspects of Marxist theory with postmodernism. Critics argue that these ideologies promote identity politics, seek to dismantle existing institutions, and undermine individual freedoms and meritocracy.
The hesitation to veto S.B. 35 raises questions about Gov. Youngkin’s commitment to removing neo-Marxist ideologies from Virginia’s state institutions. While it is important to address unconscious bias in healthcare, there are concerns that such training programs may be influenced by ideological biases that could negatively impact medical professionals and their ability to provide unbiased and quality healthcare services.
This issue also highlights a broader debate around the proper role of government in regulating and mandating specific training programs for licensed professionals. Critics argue that such mandates infringe upon individual freedoms and professional autonomy, undermining the principles of limited government intervention and personal responsibility.
It is worth mentioning that Gov. Youngkin has taken steps to fulfill his campaign promises in other areas. He has signed bills to increase funding for law enforcement, protect gun rights, and prevent critical race theory from being taught in schools. These actions demonstrate his commitment to addressing concerns related to excessive government control, public safety, and preserving traditional educational values.
To address the apparent contradiction between his campaign promises and his decision not to veto S.B. 35, Gov. Youngkin should provide clarification on his stance. It is crucial for him to articulate a clear vision for addressing unconscious bias without compromising principles of limited government intervention and individual freedoms.
In conclusion, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s commitment to removing neo-Marxist ideologies from state institutions is called into question due to his hesitation to veto a bill mandating unconscious bias training for medical practitioners. This issue raises concerns about potential ideological biases influencing training programs and infringing upon individual freedoms. Gov. Youngkin should provide clarification on his stance to address the apparent contradiction and reinforce his commitment to limited government intervention and personal responsibility.
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