Rep. Beatty Stands Up for DEI in Medicine on House Floor

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03), co-chair of the Congressional Black Caucus’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force, delivered a passionate speech on the House floor advocating for DEI in medical education and health care. 

"Simply put, doctors of color, particularly Black medical doctors, have shaped medical science and saved countless lives globally. Despite their essential contributions, systemic barriers have led to their underrepresentation in the medical profession, said Congresswoman Beatty.  “That’s why DEI programs and practices are crucial for increasing their participation in our nation’s healthcare system.”

To view the full floor speech, click HERE.

In her speech, the Congresswoman called out H.R. 7725, the EDUCATE Act, which would restrict federal funding to medical schools that pursue DEI initiatives. She also highlighted examples of organizations working to advance DEI in medical education such as Made for Medicine, which cultivates a diverse medical student pipeline early by training and mentoring Black middle and high school students interested in medicine. 

Her speech follows a resolution she recently introduced with Congresswoman Kathy Castor (FL-14), co-chair of the Congressional Academic Medicine Caucus, recognizing the importance of DEI in medical education. H. Res. 1180 affirms the need for a health care workforce that mirrors the nation’s diverse patient populations to advance health equity throughout the United States. To that end, the resolution commits to supporting DEI programs and academic freedom at medical education institutions.

The resolution has been endorsed by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC); American College of Physicians (ACP); National Medical Association (NMA); Gerontological Society of America; American College of Chest Physicians; Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA); American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE); HIV Medicine Association; Society of General Internal Medicine; American Society of Nephrology (ASN); American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM); American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI); American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases; American Society of Hematology (ASH); Ohio Society of Addiction Medicine; American Geriatrics Society (AGS); American Thoracic Society; Renal Physicians Association; National Hispanic Health Foundation; National Hispanic Medical Association; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM); AFT: Education, Healthcare, Public Services; American Academy of Emergency Medicine; American Diabetes Association (ADA); American Psychiatric Association and the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).

For inquiries, please contact Cassandra Johnson at Cassandra.Johnson@mail.house.gov.

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