HHS’ Civil Rights Office Clarifies Race-Based Prohibitions for Medical Schools
Published May 19, 2025
By AACOM Government Relatons
Federal Policy Higher Education OME Advocate
- On May 6, 2025, the HHS published a DCL to medical schools and health-related institutions. The letter clarifies that race-based criteria in admissions, hiring and program operations are prohibited under federal law, in light of the Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard.
- The DCL advised medical schools to:
- Ensure that all policies, procedures and practices are fully consistent with applicable federal civil rights laws;
- Discontinue the use of any criteria, tools or processes that serve as substitutes for race or are intended to advance race-based decision-making; and
- Cease reliance on third-party contractors, clearinghouses or data aggregators that engage in prohibited uses of race.
- For full details, read the HHS announcement.