The investigations “are in response to allegations and information the [HHS] Office for Civil Rights received that certain medical schools and hospitals that receive HHS funding may operate medical education, training or scholarship programs for current or prospective workforce members that discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin or sex,” the agency said in a March 7 statement.
The probes align with an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in January that seeks to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in federally funded institutions. The order directs agencies to investigate and eliminate race- and sex-based criteria in hiring, education and training programs.
HHS framed the investigations as part of a broader effort to ensure compliance with civil rights laws and “restore merit-based opportunities in medicine.”
In February, the agency launched a separate federal probe into allegations of antisemetic incidents at four medical schools. The inquiry is focused on whether the institutions failed to uphold anti-discrimination protections after reports of antisemetic expressions during graduation ceremonies.
