Kira Dixon Johnson’s tragic death at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles highlights the persistent health disparities faced by Black women in the United States. Johnson died about 12 hours after giving birth by cesarean section, with three liters of blood in her abdomen. Her husband, Charles Johnson, pressed staff for help as Kira’s condition deteriorated, but was told she was not a priority.
This case underscores a broader issue: the US Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights, tasked with investigating civil rights violations in federally funded hospitals, is often slow to respond and rarely holds healthcare providers accountable for discrimination. The office’s ineffectiveness is costing lives, according to Dayna Bowen Matthew, dean of George Washington University’s law school and author of two books on racism in health care.
The problem is exacerbated by the office’s increasing responsibilities and limited resources. In fiscal year 2022, civil rights complaints increased by 18% to over 18,000. Despite this surge, Congress has historically ignored requests for increased funding, regardless of the administration in power.
The impact of these systemic failures is felt most acutely by marginalized communities. As one surgical technician at Cedars-Sinai testified, women of color are treated differently at the hospital, prompting her to say a prayer when Black patients arrive.
While the Biden-Harris administration has highlighted the office as a resource for reporting unequal treatment, its lack of action raises questions about its effectiveness in addressing health disparities and protecting vulnerable populations.
See “Women Harmed by Doctors, Then Failed by US Civil Rights Watchdog” (August 28, 2024)
