Dr. Rishi Mahabir, an osteopathic psychiatrist practicing in Michigan for about 17 years, told the House Rules Committee he "strongly oppose[s] the continuation of mandatory implicit bias training for health care professionals under the Michigan public health code implemented by LARA in 2022." He said the current requirement mandates one hour of training per year and that he completed a three‑hour live session for license renewal.

Mahabir described the training as accusatory and said it felt "more like indoctrination than education," arguing the mandate lacks randomized controlled‑trial evidence that it improves patient outcomes. He told the committee the requirement "diverts valuable time from core clinical education, fosters division among providers, and fails to improve patient outcomes," and said he believes it could worsen provider shortages by pushing clinicians away from practicing in Michigan.

Vice Chair Whitworth and other members described their own experiences with implicit‑bias training. Whitworth said she "realized I had biases" and called the training "pretty eye opening," asking Mahabir what evidence he had that the mandate is pushing doctors away. Mahabir said his evidence was anecdotal and offered to follow up with data.

The clerk entered written testimony opposing the mandate from the Michigan Nurses Association and the Michigan Dental Hygienists Association, and written support from physicians volunteering with Do No Harm. Committee members continued questioning witnesses and members of the public offered remarks describing personal distress after similar trainings.

No committee vote on repeal or amendment was recorded in the transcript excerpt; sponsors and opponents will likely provide additional testimony at future hearings.