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Utah House approves nonbinding resolution urging culturally competent health care
Summary
The Utah House passed HJR 4, a nonbinding resolution urging the Department of Health and health-care stakeholders to promote culturally competent care and disseminate resources 'to the extent funding permits.' The measure passed 42–25 and will go to the Senate.
The Utah House on the floor approved HJR 4, a nonbinding resolution that urges state health officials and health-care organizations to promote culturally competent health care and to make information and resources available statewide "to the extent funding permits."
Sponsor and floor supporters framed the measure as an advisory effort to improve communication between providers and diverse patient populations. The sponsor said the resolution is supported by the Utah Medical Association, the Hospital Association and the Department of Health and that it is intended to "solicit and integrate input from representatives from diverse communities, health care providers, administrators, and insurers" and to "disseminate information throughout the state regarding the delivery of culturally competent health care in a concise, understandable format." The sponsor emphasized the language was crafted to avoid creating practice mandates for physicians.
Opponents warned the resolution could be read as implying current providers are insufficiently culturally sensitive and questioned the fiscal implications if the Department of Health were to "implement action." Representative Dayton said passage might appear to denigrate health-care professionals and said that if implementation required materials or training it should be accompanied by funding. Supporters, including Representative Litvak, argued the resolution could improve care for populations with specific needs, citing examples such as targeted genetic screening practices.
The House voted to approve HJR 4. The clerk reported the roll as 42 yes and 25 no; the resolution will be transmitted to the Senate for consideration.
HJR 4 is a resolution, not a statute, and sponsors and backers on the House floor repeatedly described it as advisory: they said it requests that the Department of Health and other entities provide resources and outreach, "as funding permits," rather than imposing new professional standards or legal mandates.
The House returned to other business after the vote; HJR 4 proceeds next to the Senate.
