Federal review ‘raises concerns’ about care for Black pregnant patients at Cedars-Sinai

Federal investigators looking into the treatment of Black pregnant patients at Cedars-Sinai Health System have found evidence that federal laws against discrimination may not have been followed, according to a “letter of concern.” “Our investigation has uncovered evidence that Cedars-Sinai may have engaged in a pattern of inaction and/or neglect concerning the health risks associated with Black maternity patients,” the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights said in its Nov. 12 letter to Cedars-Sinai officials. The federal agency said its review, which began more than two years ago, hadn’t reached any “final determinations” about whether Cedars-Sinai violated federal statutes against discrimination. However, its letter said its investigation to date “raises concerns that a lower standard of care is provided to Black patients compared to their white counterparts — especially leading up to and during obstetric hemorrhage.” The Office for Civil Rights urged Cedars-Sinai to take several steps to ensure it was complying with federal law. Doing so, it said, “would allow us to suspend our investigation and work towards voluntary resolution of this matter.” In a statement, Cedars-Sinai said that “we respectfully disagree with the department’s assertions but pledge to continue working to improve maternal...