We’re Suing Health Affairs For Racial Discrimination

Health Affairs is discriminating on the basis of race. That’s why Do No Harm is suing the prestigious medical journal and Project Hope, which publishes Health Affairs, in federal court. In our lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, September 6, we’re asking the court to hold Health Affairs and Project Hope accountable for violating federal law and D.C. law.

Health Affairs’ discrimination comes via its Health Equity Fellowship for Trainees, which provides mentorship and publication opportunities for health policy scholars. It may be hard to believe, but the journal explicitly excludes white applicants from applying:

“Eligibility requirements for Health Affairs’ Health Equity Fellowship for Trainees … Identify as American Indian/Alaskan Native, African American/Black, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, and Hispanic/Latino.”

Our plaintiff is an anonymous individual who is ready and willing to apply to the fellowship but cannot apply solely on the basis of race. 

Since Health Affairs’ publishing organization Project Hope accepts federal funding, Health Affairs is subject to the race discrimination ban under the federal Civil Rights Act, which states: “no person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Health Affairs and Project Hope are also violating the Affordable Care Act which applies specifically to health programs and activities. Furthermore, Health Affairs is violating D.C. law, which bans racial discrimination in training programs like the Health Equity Fellowship for Trainees. 

Health Affairs plays a prominent role in pushing discriminatory woke concepts like “anti-racism” and “diversity, equity, and inclusion” in healthcare. And despite its claims of wanting to achieve inclusion, the journal engages in racial discrimination. Its actions are illegal and immoral—and Do No Harm’s lawsuit will hopefully help end this injustice.