The Health and Human Services Department's Office for Civil Rights is investigating an unnamed California medical school following allegations of discrimination in its admission practices.
The agency said Thursday it received information that the school was allegedly admitting students based on race, color or national origin. The complaints, if affirmed, would violate an executive order President Donald Trump signed Jan. 21, his second day in office. The order calls for federal agencies to enforce long-standing civil rights laws and "to combat illegal private sector [diversity, equity and inclusion] preferences, mandates, policies, programs and activities."
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This is the fifth investigation HHS announced this month against medical schools or hospitals, following other cases involving unnamed organizations.
HHS, the American Hospital Association and the Association of American Medical Colleges did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The investigations are part of a long-term plan detailed in Executive Order 14173, which requires each government agency to complete nine potential civil compliance investigations of corporations, associations, foundations and institutions of higher education with endowments of more than $1 billion by May 21.
DEI initiatives have been in the spotlight ever since the executive order was enacted, prompting organizations across multiple industries, including healthcare, to begin removing mentions of DEI from their websites to avoid potential repercussions from government agencies.
