What Patients Need to Know About the Push to Remove DEI from Medical Education
A New Chapter in Medical Education
In May 2025, members of Congress introduced a bold new bill that could redefine how doctors are trained in the United States. Called the EDUCATE Act—short for Embracing anti-Discrimination, Unbiased Curricula, and Advancing Truth in Education—this legislation is generating heated discussion across the medical, academic, and political landscapes.
The bill, championed by Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D. (North Carolina), Sen. John Kennedy (Louisiana), and Rep. Burgess Owens (Utah), aims to remove Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) mandates from medical schools and associated accrediting institutions. But what does that mean for patients, and how might it affect the care you receive?
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Let’s unpack the key points of the EDUCATE Act and why they matter to you.
What Is the EDUCATE Act?
The EDUCATE Act seeks to eliminate race-based mandates in medical education by doing the following:
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Withholding federal funding from medical schools that:
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Require students or faculty to adopt specific beliefs or DEI pledges.
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Discriminate based on race or ethnicity.
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Operate DEI offices or enforce ideological policies rooted in race or identity.
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Requiring accrediting agencies to review and revise standards that promote DEI enforcement.
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Allowing educational content on health issues tied to race, ethnicity, or social factors, as long as they are science-based and not used to promote ideology.
Supporters claim the bill restores objectivity and merit in medical training. Critics say it risks removing valuable efforts that address disparities in healthcare access and outcomes for underrepresented communities.
Why Lawmakers Say It’s Needed
The Act’s sponsors argue that DEI initiatives—originally designed to promote diversity and inclusion—have overstepped, evolving into mandates that suppress differing views and reward identity over skill.
“American medical schools are the best in the world and should remain free from discrimination, politicization, and acceptance of anything other than excellence,” said Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D.
Sen. John Kennedy added that schools should focus on “training our future doctors to save lives—not indoctrinating students with anti-American DEI ideology.”
The bill reflects broader concerns among some policymakers that educational and professional standards are being compromised in the name of social or political agendas.
What Does This Mean for Medical Training?
If passed, the EDUCATE Act would require medical schools to refocus on:
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Scientific knowledge and clinical skill over personal identity or belief systems.
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Neutral, unbiased instruction free from ideological enforcement.
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Merit-based admissions and hiring policies.
What Could Change in Medical Schools?
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Admissions Processes: Schools may no longer consider race as a factor in selecting students.
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Faculty Training: Educators would be barred from requiring diversity-related loyalty pledges.
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Curriculum Content: DEI modules or implicit bias training may be scaled back or eliminated, unless they are directly tied to scientific or medical outcomes.
What This Means for You as a Patient
1. Your Doctor’s Education May Look Different
Doctors-in-training might no longer be required to complete diversity workshops or courses on racial health disparities. The long-term concern from some is that this could result in less emphasis on culturally competent care.
2. The Focus Will Be on “Equal Treatment”
Proponents believe the Act will improve fairness and impartiality in healthcare, ensuring that every patient is treated based on need, not race or politics.
“Doctors must be taught to treat patients with the highest quality of care, regardless of who they are,” said Murphy.
3. Access and Trust Could Be Affected
While care quality is expected to remain high, patients from historically underserved or marginalized communities may feel more distrustful if they believe providers lack training in cultural awareness or social determinants of health.
The Debate: Science vs. Social Policy
Supporters of the EDUCATE Act argue that DEI initiatives have devolved into ideological requirements that:
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Reduce academic standards.
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Prioritize race over merit.
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Undermine the neutrality of science and medicine.
Organizations like Do No Harm and the America First Policy Institute believe the Act is a necessary correction to what they see as divisive and discriminatory practices in medical education.
However, many medical educators and public health advocates argue the opposite: that DEI programs are essential for:
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Preparing doctors to treat a diverse population.
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Understanding health disparities rooted in social and economic factors.
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Improving outcomes for communities of color, immigrants, and low-income patients.
What the Act Doesn’t Do
The EDUCATE Act does not ban discussion or instruction on:
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Racial or ethnic health disparities.
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Genetics, epidemiology, or social risk factors tied to race or socioeconomic status.
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The role of race in medical research.
In other words, science-based discussions of race in health are still permitted, just not policies that require students or faculty to affirm or comply with DEI frameworks as a condition of study or employment.
What You Can Do as a Patient
Stay Informed
Follow developments in this legislation to understand how it could influence your care, especially if you receive services at a teaching hospital or academic medical center.
Ask Your Provider
You have every right to ask your doctor about their training and approach to cultural sensitivity, health equity, and social factors.
Monitor Your Experience
If you ever feel your care is being influenced by personal bias or ideological pressure of any kind, document your concerns and reach out to the institution or state medical board.
Final Thoughts: A Turning Point in Medical Education?
The EDUCATE Act is more than just a bill—it’s a signal that the national debate over how doctors are trained is entering a new phase. For patients, the ultimate question is whether changes in education will lead to better care, fairer treatment, and stronger outcomes, or whether removing DEI principles might limit doctors’ ability to connect with and care for diverse communities.
Either way, your voice matters. By staying informed, asking questions, and advocating for transparent, quality care, you play an important role in shaping the future of healthcare.
