Congressman who is a physician tackles DEI in residency programs, Big Pharma advertising on TV

Rep. Greg Murphy, R-N.C., who is also a practicing surgeon, called for "Diversity, Equity and Inclusion" measures to be removed from residency programs or risk losing federal funding in a new bill.

"We've had the leading organization that's been controlling our medical schools, the double AMC...the American Association of Medical Colleges...their leadership has really promoted the DEI concept, and they pushed it, not only in the medical schools...heck, it's in the MCAT."

The Medical College Admission Test is a standardized exam required to be taken by individuals trying to get into medical school in either the U.S. or Canada. Murphy called the MCAT the "SAT for medical school." He said that there have been questions about climate change and social justice on the MCAT exam. 

"We've seen UCLA use race-based admissions," he said. "Actually, they're getting sued over it now, and their test scores have plummeted because of this."

Murphy: "Nonsense Theology"

Last month, Murphy introduced a bill called Embracing Anti-Discrimination, Unbiased Curricula, and Advancing Truth in Education Act, or EDUCATE Act, which would ban race-based mandates at medical schools.

"We're going after the residency programs and saying, 'if you continue to have this DEI nonsense theology, we're going to cut off your federal funds,'" he said. "And sadly enough, that's what it takes sometimes."

An organization called "Do No Harm" has also called out the Association of American Medical Colleges for having DEI initiatives and alleged the group was given $1 million annually to “support technical assistance and direction to help increase diversity in health fields.”

Murphy said he's seen surgeon residents on social media about how they're not using meritocracy, but basing things in medical school on life experience.

"There was even one doctor who said that he went in and saw a patient that had a MAGA hat on, and it really broke his heart," he said. "We're supposed to be blind to all that when we take care of patients."

He later said that treating any patient differently based on how they look is "demonic."

Murphy said that if left-leaning ideology is being pushed in medical school, it will negatively impact patients.

"I took an oath many years ago when I'm a physician, to take care of every patient and to defend every patient, and I'm going to do that," he said. 

Targeting Big Pharma

Another issue in the medical world that Murphy is concerned about, is drug advertisers being allowed to advertise their products on television. 

"We're one of two countries in the world, the other one being New Zealand, that allows this kind of direct to consumer advertising," he said. "I will tell you, in my 30-plus years as a physician, I have never prescribed a drug because a patient came in and said, 'Hey, I saw this on television.' It is ridiculous. It's unnecessary. It does drive up costs."

In April, Murphy introduced a bill to get rid of tax deductions for drug advertisers. "Direct-to-consumer drug advertising can promote inappropriate prescribing practices, undermine the doctor-patient relationship, and increase unneeded spending on medications," he said in a statement.

"America is one of only two nations in the world that allows pharmaceuticals to be marketed directly to consumers. Patients should trust their doctor for medical guidance, not 30-second TV ads. This legislation ensures that resources are directed towards lowering drug costs and investing in the research and development of new, life-saving treatments."