Washington, D.C. — On March 19, 2024, Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. introduced the Embracing anti-Discrimination, Unbiased Curricula, and Advancing Truth in Education (EDUCATE) Act to ban race-based mandates at medical schools and accrediting institutions. 

"American medical schools are the best in the world and no place for discrimination," said Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. "The EDUCATE Act compels medical schools and accrediting agencies to uphold colorblind admissions processes and prohibits the coercion of students who hold certain political opinions. Diversity strengthens medicine, but not if it’s achieved through exclusionary practices. Medicine is about serving others and doing the best job possible in every circumstance. We cannot afford to sacrifice the excellence and quality of medical education at the hands of prejudice and divisive ideology." 

"For both the health of American patients and the good of the next generation of physicians, it’s important that medical education is free from discrimination," said Congressman Brad Wenstrup, D.P.M. "Physicians should treat patients as they would themselves and their families, rather than being forced to pledge, affirm, or adopt tenets that have infiltrated higher education. This bill helps ensure that best practices in medical education are followed equally for all and keeps our nation’s future doctors focused on caring for patients." 

"Allowing rebranded race-based discrimination to infiltrate medical education is dangerous for future doctors and patients alike," said Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, Chairman of Do No Harm. "I have witnessed firsthand the alarming rate at which DEI ideology has spread through medical schools across the country. If we fail to stop it, we risk a generation of physicians ill-equipped to meet the needs of their patients. Do No Harm applauds Congressman Murphy for taking this critical first step to end harmful DEI practices and make academic excellence the priority for medical schools once again." 

Read Murphy and Goldfarb in WSJ Opinion 

Background
The EDUCATE Act would cut off federal funding to medical schools that force students or faculty to adopt specific beliefs, discriminate based on race or ethnicity, or have diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices or any functional equivalent. The bill would also require accreditation agencies to check that their standards do not push these practices, while still allowing instruction about health issues tied to race or collecting data for research. 

Cosponsors

Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Ralph Norman (SC-5), Brad Wenstrup (OH-2), Beth Van Duyne (TX-24), Andy Harris (MD-1), Brian Babin (TX-36), Diana Harshbarger (TN-1), Ronny Jackson (TX-13), Scott Franklin (FL-18), Josh Brecheen (OK-2), Keith Self (TX-3), Marjorie Taylor, Greene (GA-14), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Rick Allen (GA-12), Chris Smith (NJ-4), Joe Wilson (SC-2), Doug LaMalfa (CA-1), Rich McCormick (GA-6), Austin Scott (GA-8), Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05), David Rouzer (NC-7), Doug Lamborn (CO-5), Grothman Glenn (WI-6), Brandon Williams (NY-22), Jeff Van Drew (NJ-2), Chuck Edwards (NC-11), Mike Kelly (PA-16), Jodey Arrington (TX-19), William Timmons (SC-4), Dan Bishop (NC-8), Cliff Bentz (OR-2), Scott DesJarlais (TN-4), Derrick Van Orden (WI-3), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), Kevin Hern (OK-01)