The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry is standing up against government overreach into the training standards of private health care providers and the diversity, equity and inclusion efforts of all private businesses.
In the House, Rep. Doug Richey (R-Excelsior Springs) has added anti-DEI language to every budget bill. The amendments ban state government spending on staff, vendors, consultants and programs associated with diversity, equity and inclusion.
The Missouri Chamber is strongly opposed to this anti-business mandate which would threaten private companies’ contracts with the state.
In the Senate, SB 410, sponsored by Sen. Andrew Koenig (R-Manchester), would prohibit hospitals, health care providers and medical schools from requiring diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) training or the study of DEI materials. Health care providers and schools that don’t comply would be ineligible for state funding, grants and contracts.
Phillip Arnzen, director of legislative affairs for the Missouri Chamber, joined the Missouri Hospital Association, Missouri Nurses Association, and medical students from across the state by testifying in opposition.
“We believe if you’re a private organization, you should be able to run the organization or business the way that you would like,” Arnzen said. “We also believe that this is a new mandate on businesses by requiring them to certify with the Department of Health that they do not have DEI policies or teach DEI policies.”
For more information, contact Arnzen at parnzen@mochamber.com or 573-634-3511.
