Law Firms Warn Med Schools: No More Discrimination

Medical schools need to follow the Supreme Court’s new ruling that bans the racial discrimination known as affirmative action. That’s the timely message from two legal groups, which are publicly warning medical schools to stop their racial discrimination, which Do No Harm has long highlighted.

To start, the Liberty Justice Center is launching a major campaign “to notify more than one hundred and fifty medical schools across the country regarding their legal obligation to end race-based admissions policies in response to the Supreme Court’s recent ruling.” It’s also “prepared to challenge any higher educational institution that continues to discriminate against students, faculty, or board leaders.”

America First Legal is also leading the charge. It has sent a letter to 200 law schools warning them of the “consequences” they will face if they “fail to comply with or attempt to circumvent the Court’s ruling.” While the letter was not addressed to medical schools, this warning applies equally to them.

Do No Harm has found, primarily through freedom of information requests, that almost every medical school has racially discriminatory admissions policies. We’ve also filed more than 100 federal civil rights complaints about racially discriminatory scholarships at medical schools, leading to numerous federal investigations. With the Supreme Court’s ruling, we’re doubling down on holding medical schools accountable for discriminating on the basis of race.

So are others. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has already sent a letter to his state’s colleges and universities, stating that “Missouri institutions must identify all policies that give preference to individuals on the basis of race and immediately halt the implementation of such policies.” The University of Missouri quickly announced an end to all race-based financial aid. Other state attorneys general are likely to issue similar warnings.

The Supreme Court was right to end this racial discrimination. Now it’s time to ensure this ruling is followed. Kudos to all the law firms and leaders who’ve joined Do No Harm in fighting for equal treatment and colorblind merit.