On March 27, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) initiated an investigation of a major medical school in California to determine whether it discriminates on the basis of race, color, or national origin in its admissions.  The investigation is in response to information OCR received about the medical school’s admissions practices and policies that may violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (Section 1557).

The investigation will examine whether the HHS-funded medical school gives unlawful preference to applicants based on their race, color, or national origin. National policy under Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity, directs federal agencies to enforce long-standing civil rights laws and “to combat illegal private sector [diversity, equity and inclusion] DEI preferences, mandates, policies, programs, and activities.” 

“This investigation reflects the Administration’s commitment to honor the hard work, excellence, and individual achievement of all students in the pipeline for the medical profession – not just those of particular racial backgrounds,” said Anthony Archeval, Acting Director of the Office for Civil Rights at Health and Human Services.

On March 27, announcement is the fifth investigation aligned with Executive Order 14173 that OCR has initiated this month to probe the alleged race or sex-based criteria used by institutions that receive HHS funding.

Under Executive Order 14173, each agency, in coordination with the Attorney General, is required to identify “up to nine potential civil compliance investigations” of corporations, associations, certain foundations, and institutions of higher education with endowments over 1 billion dollars as part of a strategic enforcement plan. 

If you believe that you or someone else has been discriminated against because of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, or religion in programs or activities that HHS directly operates or to which HHS provides federal financial assistance, you may file a complaint with the HHS Office for Civil Rights at: https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/filing-a-complaint/index.html

Follow Health and Human Services OCR on X (formerly Twitter) at @HHSOCR.