“I understand that African Americans have a higher incidence of chronic illness and that makes them more susceptible to death by Covid. But why doesn’t that make them more susceptible just by catching Covid?” Huffman asked during the testimony.
“Don’t African-Americans or the colored population wash their hands as well as other groups? Or do they wear a mask? Or don’t they distance themselves socially? Is that the explanation for the high incidence?”
The witness at the hearing at which Huffman asked the question, Angela Dawson, who serves as executive director of the Ohio Minority Health Commission, quickly rejected his claim, saying emphatically, “That is not the opinion of the leading medical experts in this country.”
After a storm around his comments, Huffman apologized.
The news of Huffman’s appointment to the Ohio Senate health panel drew swift admonitions from lawmakers across the state.
State Representative Catherine Ingram, a Democrat, said Huffman’s “racist and problematic remarks” show that he is unable to chair a committee that affects black residents and called for his appointment to be terminated immediately.
Tony Bishop, executive director of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus, said on Thursday that the group requires a committee leader who “understands and can help enact health policies that address inequalities in our state without political influence.” And if the Senate leadership does not replace Huffman as president, they hope he will “use his position to improve the health of Ohio’s African American population,” working with the caucus to pass laws that address health disparities in the state.
“As one of the few doctors in the legislature, I am proud to (be) appointed chairman of the Ohio Senate Health Committee,” Huffman said in a statement to CNN when asked about requests for his appointment to be terminated and his message to constituents. blacks who are concerned about his appointment in light of his previous comments.
“I am also proud of my decades of work treating people in communities of color. In our state’s effort to help understand why Covid-19 is disproportionately affecting African Americans, more than seven months ago, I asked a question posed by strange way that unfortunately hurt a lot of people, “said Huffman. “I apologized immediately and have been working to heal any damage done. In the past few months, I have taken classes on diversity and inclusion and discussed this with my African American colleagues in the legislature, as well as with the African American health leaders in my district for identify ways in which the medical community can better help poor people.
“Covid-19 is killing the inhabitants of Ohio and I will focus the efforts of the Senate Health Committee on how to protect everyone, of all races, from the deadly effects of this pandemic.”
John Fortney, Ohio Senate Majority Caucus’ press secretary and senior communications adviser, told CNN in a statement on Monday that Huffman is “a doctor and highly qualified” to chair the committee.
“He has a long history of providing health care to minority neighborhoods and has joined several mission trips at his own expense to treat people from disadvantaged countries,” said Fortney. “He apologized months ago for asking an awkward and poorly formulated question. Sincere apologies deserve sincere forgiveness, not the politically armed perpetual judgment of the culture of cancellation.”
TeamHealth, a hospital management company that employed Huffman as a part-time doctor, confirmed in June that Huffman had been fired from that position.
“Dr. Huffman’s comments are totally inconsistent with our values and commitment to creating a tolerant and diverse workplace,” said a spokesperson for TeamHealth in a statement.
This story has been updated to include a statement by Huffman.
CNN’s Devan Cole contributed to this report.