Hospitals in Oregon ask about ethnic background

Hospitals in Oregon ask about ethnic background

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Story Published: May 7, 2008 at 9:02 PM PST

By Denae D'Arcy

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Hospitals are now required by the state of Oregon to ask about a patient's ethnic background. 

When patients check in to the hospital, administrators say they will be asked whether they are either "Hispanic/Latino or non-Hispanic Latino."  A patient will also have the option to refuse to answer the question or say "unknown."

If patients refuse to answer the question, they will not be asked again.

The Oregon Health and Research organization says asking about a patient's ethnic background will help to monitor discrimination in health care.

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