‘Health Equity’: Why Mass General’s DEI-Infused Policy Update Places Infants At Risk
David Degner/Getty Images

Opinion

‘Health Equity’: Why Mass General’s DEI-Infused Policy Update Places Infants At Risk

The updated policy is designed to address 'Inequities in substance use disorder care'

Isaac Willour

It’s never a good time to be a baby who’s been exposed to drugs. But the brilliant antiracist minds at Mass General Brigham have somehow found a way to make that situation even more risky. Early this month, the Massachusetts healthcare network announced its latest gambit in the fight against racial disparity in medicine: no longer reporting instances of abuse in cases of fetal drug exposure.

The rationale for this baffling new policy? The DEI-rich language of ‘health equity.’ As per Mass General’s announcement, “Black pregnant people are more likely to be drug tested and to be reported to child welfare systems than white pregnant people.” The decision was further portrayed as “the latest step in our efforts to address long-standing inequities in substance use disorder care.” But will it?

Got a tip worth investigating?

Your information could be the missing piece to an important story. Submit your tip today and make a difference.

Submit Tip