Federal government withholds $108 million in funding for Duke Health, alleging the university engages in widespread racial discrimination.
In a move that has raised concerns at Duke University and Duke Health, the Trump administration has frozen $108 million in federal funding for the institution's health system. The funding freeze comes in response to allegations of systemic racial discrimination in Duke's healthcare system, medical admissions, hiring, and academic programming.
The investigations, led by the U.S. Departments of Education (DOE) and Health and Human Services (HHS), are focused on determining if Duke has violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a law that prohibits race-based discrimination in programs receiving federal funding.
The freeze affects the Duke University School of Medicine and its broader health research and care system. The funds in question are crucial for the institution, and the freeze could become permanent if Duke is found to be in violation of Title VI.
The investigations stem from a specific controversy surrounding the Duke Law Journal’s 2024 editor selection process, where an alleged secret document awarded extra points to applicants based on racial or ethnic identity and leadership in affinity groups. This case forms part of a broader federal review into race-based preferences in student admissions, hiring practices, governance, and patient care at Duke.
In response to the investigations, the Trump administration has demanded that Duke Health creates a "Merit and Civil Rights Committee" to work with the government. The outcome of these investigations could have significant implications for Duke, as the institution risks permanent loss of substantial federal funding and may be required to revise or eliminate policies that use racial preferences in violation of federal civil rights laws.
The Trump administration contends that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives "create and then amplify prejudicial hostility and exacerbate interpersonal conflict." Proponents of DEI argue that many initiatives are beneficial, citing studies that show college students exposed to more diversity have greater levels of cultural awareness and political participation.
Other universities have already felt the impact of the Trump administration's stance on DEI. Many have scrubbed DEI mentions from their websites, shuttered programs, and lost scholarship funding due to the Department of Education's threats.
The current status of the Title VI investigation into Duke Health involves a federal probe by the U.S. Departments of Education (DOE) and Health and Human Services (HHS), focusing on allegations of systemic racial discrimination in Duke’s healthcare system, medical admissions, hiring, and academic programming.
| Aspect | Details | |--------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Investigating Agencies | U.S. Department of Education (DOE) and Health and Human Services (HHS) | | Alleged Violations | Systemic racial discrimination in hiring, admissions, patient care, and editorial selection at Duke Law Journal | | Legal Basis | Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act | | Federal Funding Impact | $108 million frozen by Trump's administration; possible permanent cut if violations confirmed | | Required Actions by Duke Health | Review and revise policies; establish Merit and Civil Rights Committee; comply with federal investigation demands |
- The investigations conducted by the U.S. Departments of Education (DOE) and Health and Human Services (HHS) have extended beyond Duke Health's healthcare system, delving into Duke Law Journal's editorial selection process, due to allegations of race-based preferences.
- The freeze on $108 million in federal funding for Duke University's health system may not be the only consequence if Duke is found in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, as the institution could be required to revise or eliminate policies using racial preferences in contravention of federal civil rights laws.
- The policy landscape, including science, health-and-wellness, policy-and-legislation, politics, and general-news sectors, has been impacted as the Trump administration contends that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives can create and amplify prejudicial hostility and interpersonal conflict.
