PLBC members work to increase diversity in Pa. health-care workforce

HARRISBURG, Sept. 29 – The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus chairman, state Rep. Ronald G. Waters, D-Phila./Delaware, said the caucus is working with health-care professionals across the state to encourage more minorities to pursue professions in the health-care field.

Waters made the announcement during a recent symposium, “Working to Eliminate Health Disparities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania” at the University of Pittsburgh’s Medical Center.

Waters participated as a panelist and said it is important for health-care providers, educators and organizations to recruit and mentor more minorities in the Pennsylvania health-care workforce.

"Statistics show that African-Americans make up 12 percent of our population, yet they only make up 3 percent of health-care professionals," Waters said. "According to a Newsweek article discussing the large population increase within the Hispanic community, Latinos make up 14.2 percent of the U.S. population; however they only account for about 6.4 percent of students earning their medical degree."

Waters also said there are 3,000 Latinos for every one Latino physician.

"These alarming statistics prove that more diversity is necessary within the medial field and should be a long-term goal. In the interim, cultural competency will suffice if it is deemed a requirement of medical professionals."

Other panelists included PLBC members, state Reps. Jake Wheatley and Joe Preston, both D-Allegheny, Rep. Dan Frankel, also D-Allegheny, executives from Gateway Medical Society and Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Director of Office Policy Lillian Escobar-Haskins.

“We cannot close our health disparity gap unless we have a more diverse health-care workforce in the Commonwealth,” Waters said. “People feel more comfortable going to doctors who are sensitive to the diverse backgrounds of patients.”

Waters said he plans to introduce legislation that will increase and improve cultural competency among health-care professionals in the state.

“My bill would require medical experts to learn about the way one’s background affects a person's health. The bill will also increase accessibility to adequate health care while improving communication and fostering stronger relationships between doctors and their patients," Waters said. "Currently, other states have completed legislation, while others have legislation pending to increase cultural competency.

“This effort is not just a one-day conversation, but an ongoing effort with an objective of resolving health disparities throughout the state and nation,” Waters said.