Greg Murphy Introduced A Bill To Eliminate Scholarships For Aspiring Black Doctors And Cut Off Federal Funding To Medical Schools That Had Initiatives To Address Systemic Racism

Murphy Twice Introduced The EDUCATE Act, Which Was Opposed By The Association Of American Medical Colleges

2024-2025: Murphy Twice Introduced The EDUCATE Act

2025: Murphy Introduced the EDUCATE Act. “Today, Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D., alongside Senator John Kennedy (LA) and Congressman Burgess Owens (UT), 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 should remain free from discrimination, politicization and acceptance of anything other than excellence,’ said Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. ‘The EDUCATE Act bans race-based mandates at medical schools, protects the First Amendment and civil rights of students, and promotes objective, science-based medicine. Excluding individuals based on appearance or beliefs in the name of diversity is wrong and debases the integrity of the profession. Doctors must be taught to treat patients and with the highest quality of care, regardless of who they are. This includes dealing with other medical professionals who may not look like they do. I have dedicated my life to serving others as a physician and will not stand for discrimination in our nation’s institutions of medicine.’” [Rep. Greg Murphy, Press Release, 5/20/25]

2024: Murphy Introduced the EDUCATE Act To Ban Race-Based Mandates At Medical Schools. “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.’” [Rep. Greg Murphy, Press Release, 3/19/24]

The Association Of American Medical Colleges Denounced The EDUCATE Act

American Journal Of Public Health: “Numerous Health Organizations, Including The Association Of American Medical Colleges [AAMC], Denounced The EDUCATE Act.” “The EDUCATE Act, a bill introduced in the House of Representatives in March 2024 by Representative Greg Murphy (R-NC), threatens to withhold federal funding from any medical school that does not eliminate its DEI initiatives. Senator John Kennedy (R-LA), who introduced the same bill in the Senate, declared that ‘[w]oke universities are forcing America's future doctors to care more about race and gender than saving lives.’ Numerous health organizations, including the Association of American Medical Colleges, denounced the EDUCATE Act, noting that DEI initiatives are necessary to provide the highest standard of care to all patients, particularly those who are marginalized by society and continue to experience health inequities.” [American Journal of Public Health, 6/11/25]

The AAMC Noted DEI Initiatives Were Necessary “To Provide The Highest Standard Of Care To All Patients, Particularly Those Who Are Marginalized By Society And Continue To Experience Health Inequities.” “The EDUCATE Act, a bill introduced in the House of Representatives in March 2024 by Representative Greg Murphy (R-NC), threatens to withhold federal funding from any medical school that does not eliminate its DEI initiatives. Senator John Kennedy (R-LA), who introduced the same bill in the Senate, declared that ‘[w]oke universities are forcing America's future doctors to care more about race and gender than saving lives.’ Numerous health organizations, including the Association of American Medical Colleges, denounced the EDUCATE Act, noting that DEI initiatives are necessary to provide the highest standard of care to all patients, particularly those who are marginalized by society and continue to experience health inequities.” [American Journal of Public Health, 6/11/25]

The EDUCATE Act Would Eliminate Scholarships And Affinity Groups For Students Of Specific Races, Which Helped Black Students Attend Medical School

Murphy Said The EDUCATE Act Would Eliminate “The Worst DEI Practices,” Including Medical Schools Offering Scholarships And Affinity Groups For Students Of Specific Races

Murphy Said The EDUCATE Act Would Eliminate All Federal Funding For Medical Schools That Engage In “The Worst DEI Practices.” “One of us, Rep. Murphy, will introduce the Educate Act on Tuesday. It would eliminate all federal funding, including student loans, for medical schools that engage in the worst DEI practices. Schools would have to agree to the following: […] • No racist teaching. Medical schools teach about ‘intersectionality,’ ‘colonization’ and ‘white supremacy’ while promoting the idea that people are either ‘oppressors’ or ‘oppressed.’” [Wall Street Journal, Greg Murphy and Stanley Goldfarb Op-Ed, 3/18/24]

Murphy Said “The Worst DEI Practices” Included Medical Schools Offering Scholarships And Programming, Including Affinity Groups, To Students Of Specific Races. “One of us, Rep. Murphy, will introduce the Educate Act on Tuesday. It would eliminate all federal funding, including student loans, for medical schools that engage in the worst DEI practices. Schools would have to agree to the following: […] • No racial discrimination. Medical schools increasingly offer scholarships, classes and programming designed for—and sometimes available only to—students of specific races. This includes ‘affinity groups’ students can join voluntarily, as well as classes that segregate students for the sake of learning.” [Wall Street Journal, Greg Murphy and Stanley Goldfarb Op-Ed, 3/18/24]

Murphy Said “The Worst DEI Practices” Included Medical Schools Having DEI Offices. “One of us, Rep. Murphy, will introduce the Educate Act on Tuesday. It would eliminate all federal funding, including student loans, for medical schools that engage in the worst DEI practices. Schools would have to agree to the following: […] • No DEI offices. Most medical schools have a department, team or office dedicated to DEI. These bureaucracies exist to spread a divisive ideology across campus, from the curriculum to extracurricular activities.” [Wall Street Journal, Greg Murphy and Stanley Goldfarb Op-Ed, 3/18/24]

Murphy Said “The Worst DEI Practices” Included Medical Schools Teaching About White Supremacy And Intersectionality. “One of us, Rep. Murphy, will introduce the Educate Act on Tuesday. It would eliminate all federal funding, including student loans, for medical schools that engage in the worst DEI practices. Schools would have to agree to the following: […] • No racist teaching. Medical schools teach about ‘intersectionality,’ ‘colonization’ and ‘white supremacy’ while promoting the idea that people are either ‘oppressors’ or ‘oppressed.’ These concepts push medical students to treat patients differently based on race, sex or ‘gender identity.’ In 2021 two physicians proposed giving preferential treatment to ‘Black and Latinx heart failure patients’ at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School.” [Wall Street Journal, Greg Murphy and Stanley Goldfarb Op-Ed, 3/18/24]

Medical School Scholarships For Underrepresented Minorities Helped Increase The Number Of Physicians From Diverse Backgrounds

Med School Insider: “Medical School Scholarships For Minorities Help Increase The Number Of Physicians From Diverse Backgrounds Who Can Provide Culturally Competent Care To Medically Underserved Communities.” “Many racial and ethnic minorities, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, are historically underrepresented in healthcare. Medical school scholarships for minorities help increase the number of physicians from diverse backgrounds who can provide culturally competent care to medically underserved communities.” [Med School Insider, 2/5/25]

Experts Said Underrepresented Minorities Faced Financial Obstacles To Enrolling In Medical School. “Experts say underrepresented minorities face numerous barriers to medical school admission, including: • Financial obstacles, including the high cost of medical school along with undergraduate debt. • Parental income and educational background.” [U.S. News & World Report, 5/6/25]

About 5% Of Doctors Were Black Despite Black People Being 14% Of The U.S. Population

2025: About 5% Of Doctors Were Black While Black People Made Up About 14% Of The U.S. Population. “According to 2023 U.S. Census Bureau data, Hispanic or Latino people represent 19.5% of the U.S. population, but Association of American Medical Colleges data from the same year shows that only 6.5% of doctors come from that demographic; Black people make up 13.7% of the population, but 5.2% of doctors; and Native Americans and Alaska Natives are 1.3% of the U.S. population, but just .3% of doctors.” [U.S. News & World Report, 5/6/25]

New England Journal Of Medicine: Racial Affinity Group Caucusing Enhanced Learning

New England Journal Of Medicine: Racial Affinity Group Caucusing “Enhances Learning By Building Community And Encouraging Praxis, The Integration Of Theory, Self-Reflection, And Action.” “As academic medicine begins to recognize and examine racism as the root cause of racially disparate health outcomes, we need curricula for training physicians to dismantle the systems that perpetuate these inequities. Since traditional approaches to medical education are themselves founded in inequitable systems, new approaches are essential. Racial affinity group caucuses (RAGCs) are one such approach. RAGCs are facilitated sessions involving participants grouped according to self-identified racial or ethnic identity to support integration of antiracism curricula into clinical practice. Used as part of a broader antiracism and antioppression curriculum, racial affinity group caucusing engages participants in critical introspection through the lens of their own racialized experience and enhances learning by building community and encouraging praxis, the integration of theory, self-reflection, and action.” [New England Journal of Medicine, 4/22/23]

The EDUCATE Act Would Cut Off Federal Funding To Medical Schools That Had Initiatives To Address Systemic Racial Disparities

The EDUCATE Act Would Cut Off Federal Funding To Medical Schools With DEI Offices Or Policies Around Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion

The EDUCATE Act Would Cut Off Federal Funding To Medical Schools That Had DEI Offices. “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.” [Rep. Greg Murphy, Press Release, 3/19/24]

The EDUCATE Act Would Prevent Medical Schools From Receiving Federal Funding If They Had Policies Around Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion. “Healthcare has not escaped this backlash with an increase in anti-DEI sentiment, despite the known benefits and the critical importance of diversity in healthcare. Not to mention the impact of the social determinants of health on patient outcomes. Recently, North Carolina Representative Greg Murphy proposed a bill called the EDUCATE Act. If passed, it would prevent medical schools from receiving federal funding if they have policies or requirements around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Of note is that the healthcare field has been aware of the existence of disparities and inequities in care and practice for decades. So much so, that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define them as ‘preventable differences in the burden, disease, injury, violence, or in opportunities to achieve optimal health experienced by socially disadvantaged racial, ethnic, and other population groups and communities’ and have an entire section dedicated to improving them.” [Newsweek, 5/8/24]

DEI Initiatives Helped Address Systemic Racial Disparities Such As Those In Maternal And Infant Health

DEI Initiatives Were Used To Address Systemic Racial Disparities Such As Those That Exist In Maternal And Infant Health. “DEI initiatives could and have been used to address these systemic disparities, like the racial disparities that exist in maternal and infant health or the chronic health disparities that can come from poverty. Often these efforts lead to better healthcare experiences for all, including improved patient outcomes and reduced barriers for underrepresented or marginalized groups.” [Newsweek, 5/8/24]

• The Center For Disease Control Defined Health Disparities And Inequities As “Preventable Differences In The Burden, Disease, Injury, Violence, Or In Opportunities To Achieve Optimal Health Experienced By Socially Disadvantaged Racial, Ethnic, And Other Population Groups And Communities.” “Of note is that the healthcare field has been aware of the existence of disparities and inequities in care and practice for decades. So much so, that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define them as ‘preventable differences in the burden, disease, injury, violence, or in opportunities to achieve optimal health experienced by socially disadvantaged racial, ethnic, and other population groups and communities’ and have an entire section dedicated to improving them.” [Newsweek, 5/8/24]

The Medical Field Had Been Aware Of Disparities And Inequities In Care For Decades And Addressing Those Disparities Could Significantly Reduce Medical Costs

Newsweek: “The Healthcare Field Has Been Aware Of The Existence Of Disparities And Inequities In Care And Practice For Decades.” “Healthcare has not escaped this backlash with an increase in anti-DEI sentiment, despite the known benefits and the critical importance of diversity in healthcare. Not to mention the impact of the social determinants of health on patient outcomes. Recently, North Carolina Representative Greg Murphy proposed a bill called the EDUCATE Act. If passed, it would prevent medical schools from receiving federal funding if they have policies or requirements around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Of note is that the healthcare field has been aware of the existence of disparities and inequities in care and practice for decades. So much so, that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define them as ‘preventable differences in the burden, disease, injury, violence, or in opportunities to achieve optimal health experienced by socially disadvantaged racial, ethnic, and other population groups and communities’ and have an entire section dedicated to improving them.” [Newsweek, 5/8/24]

Addressing Health Disparities, Including Those Affecting People Of Color, Could Significantly Reduce Medical Costs. “Diversity in the healthcare field also benefits financial performance and employee retention, because it emphasizes the importance of addressing bias for better patient care and employee relations. Addressing health disparities, particularly those affecting people of color and LGBTQ+ communities, can significantly reduce excess medical costs, as much as $93 billion annually.” [Newsweek, 5/8/24]

When It Came To Rural Representation, Murphy Introduced A Bill To Preserve Medical Education Slots For Rural Communities

Rep. Murphy Press Release Headline: “Murphy Introduces Legislation To Preserve New Graduate Medical Education Slots For Rural Communities.” [Rep. Greg Murphy, Press Release, 5/2/24]

Murphy: “Rural Hospitals Are Struggling To Recruit Physicians With Increasing Difficulty, In Part Because Of An Imbalance In The Apportionment Of Graduate Medical Education Slots.” “Congressman Murphy, M.D. introduced legislation to ensure that unallocated graduate medical education (GME) slots created in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 go to hospitals located in rural areas. ‘Decades of real-world data show rural trained physicians are more likely to practice in rural communities,’ said Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. ‘To grow the physician workforce and increase access to care for patients throughout the nation, we must prioritize the areas of need that are experiencing the most acute physician workforce shortages. Rural hospitals are struggling to recruit physicians with increasing difficulty, in part because of an imbalance in the apportionment of graduate medical education slots. Health care access continues to decline in rural America, and we must act swiftly to reverse this dangerous trend. Failure to do so will lead to more hospital and physician practice closures, greater instability in the supply of new physicians, and further burden patients already forced to travel long distances for care.’” [Rep. Greg Murphy, Press Release, 5/2/24]

Murphy: “To Grow The Physician Workforce And Increase Access To Care For Patients Throughout The Nation, We Must Prioritize The Areas Of Need That Are Experiencing The Most Acute Physician Workforce Shortages.” “Congressman Murphy, M.D. introduced legislation to ensure that unallocated graduate medical education (GME) slots created in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 go to hospitals located in rural areas. ‘Decades of real-world data show rural trained physicians are more likely to practice in rural communities,’ said Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. ‘To grow the physician workforce and increase access to care for patients throughout the nation, we must prioritize the areas of need that are experiencing the most acute physician workforce shortages. Rural hospitals are struggling to recruit physicians with increasing difficulty, in part because of an imbalance in the apportionment of graduate medical education slots. Health care access continues to decline in rural America, and we must act swiftly to reverse this dangerous trend. Failure to do so will lead to more hospital and physician practice closures, greater instability in the supply of new physicians, and further burden patients already forced to travel long distances for care.’” [Rep. Greg Murphy, Press Release, 5/2/24]

Murphy Claimed DEI Preached That He Could Not Care For People Of A Different Race And Said He Was Taught In Medical School That “We Have Different Issues That Deal With Different Races”

Murphy Said DEI Preached That He Could Not Care For People Who Did Not Look Like Him And Said People At Medical Schools Were Not Comfortable Around White Doctors

Murphy Said DEI Preached That He Could Not Take Care Of Individuals Who Did Not Look Like Him. “I have spent my entire life taking care of individuals that don’t look like I do. With expertise, compassion and care. DEI is preaching that I can’t do that because I don’t look like all of my patients. Absolute nonsense.” [Rep. Greg Murphy, Twitter, 3/27/24]

Image: see original report, p. 40

[Rep. Greg Murphy, Twitter, 3/27/24]

VIDEO: Murphy: “But Now What We’re Seeing Are Quadrants And Particles Within The School Itself That Says, Look, I Don’t Feel Comfortable Around White Doctors.” MURPHY: “But now what we’re seeing are quadrants and particles within the school itself that says, look, I don’t feel comfortable around white doctors. Or it’s okay if someone– it’s not okay if somebody makes fun of my pronouns walking around as a medical student with a political statement on. This is absolute nonsense.” [NewsNation via YouTube, 01:29, 3/19/24] (VIDEO)

VIDEO: Murphy Said Medical Schools Having DEI Programs Was “Divisive” By Definition. HOST: “Of the 155 accredited medical schools, 100% have admissions policies supporting diverse students. 97 have senior leaders committed to DEI, diversity, equity, and inclusion. 89% say DEI is prioritized. 91.1 have parental leave regardless of gender or sexual orientation. U.S. Representative Dr. Greg Murphy wants to change that by denying federal funds to medical schools that have DEI programs. Alright Congressman, good to see you, sir. Is this really a problem? Are we a solution in search of a problem or is this actually a problem?” MURPHY: “No, it’s a major problem, Leland. I mean as you point out, the infinite majority of the schools that we’re seeing right now have DEI programs, which by definition is divisive.” [NewsNation via YouTube, 00:00, 3/19/24] (VIDEO)

Murphy Said He Was Taught In Medical School That “We Have Different Issues That Deal With Different Races”

VIDEO: Murphy: “By Far We Have Different Issues That Deal With Different Races. We Always Have. And That’s What We’re Taught In Medical School.” MURPHY: “We’re trying to put healing and race relations together. We’re destroying that. Even more so with what DEI is doing, it’s not only attacking in the admissions process. Look at what’s being taught in the school itself. We’re being taught to have social justice warriors, not physicians. What does having a discussion about social justice issues have to do with learning where your appendix is or what a gastric ulcer looks like? Yes, by far we have different issues that deal with different races. We always have. And that’s what we’re taught in medical school. We’re also taught in medical school previously to take care of whatever patient is in front of you regardless of race, sex, gender, whatever they call it, or any type of things now.” [NewsNation via YouTube, 00:46, 3/19/24] (VIDEO)

When Asked If He Had Specific Examples Of Medical Schools Lowering Standards In The Name Of Racial Equity, Murphy Said The Admissions Rate Varied By Race And Test Scores

When Asked If He Had Specific Examples Of Medical Schools Lowering Standards In The Name Of Racial Equity, Murphy Said, “The Admissions Rate, Who Gets In, Depending According To Race And MCAT Scores Is Markedly Different.” HOST: “Do you have specific examples of where medical schools and to get back to what Elon Musk was saying, where standards are being lowered in the name of racial equity?” MURPHY: “If you look at some of the charts like we can cite them here will show that the admissions rate, who gets in, depending according to race and MCAT scores is markedly different. And MCAT scores are a direct correlate to your ability to understand, fully digest the body of knowledge that you have in medical school.” [NewsNation via YouTube, 02:35, 3/19/24] (VIDEO)

VIDEO: Murphy: “I Think Diversity Strengthens A Population. The Problem Is When You Force It.” HOST: “I just want to be clear, are you taking issue with say that diversity is a good thing?” MURPHY: “No, no not at all. I think diversity strengthens a population. The problem is when you force it, when individuals– look guys, we’re not dealing with art school. We’re not dealing with English school. We’re talking about medical school. We’re talking about where people’s lives are at stake.” [NewsNation via YouTube, 02:13, 3/19/24] (VIDEO)