Federal officials have frozen over $108 million in federal funding for Duke Health, the medical arm of Duke University, over allegations that its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs may be in violation of anti-discrimination laws. In a letter to Duke President Vincent Price, Secretaries Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and Linda McMahon outlined their concerns that the institution’s practices in hiring, student admissions, and patient care may constitute illegal racial preferences, which they argue endanger human lives and undermine the mission of American healthcare.
The administration cited Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and Section 155,7 of the Affordable Care Act, stressing that such practices are illegal and may violate the principles of fair treatment. They emphasized that in the medical context, these actions not only break faith with patients but also hinder medical discovery and jeopardize human life and health. The freeze follows President Trump’s executive order prohibiting DEI initiatives that are perceived to enforce racial preferences.
The investigation into Duke Health was launched by the Department of Education, which has alleged that the institution’s DEI practices may involve racial discrimination. The secretaries stated that the institution is currently considered unfit for any further financial relationship with the federal government unless it addresses these concerns and revises its policies. To restore funding, Duke Health must review all its policies and procedures for illegal use of race preferences, take immediate action, and provide verifiable assurances that it will operate in ‘good faith’ moving forward.
The federal government has kept the door open for future partnerships, expressing a preference for Duke Health to ‘repair these problems’ and continue its long-standing commitment to medical excellence. However, if the alleged issues remain uncorrected within six months, or if an impasse is reached between the Merit and Civil Rights Committee and federal authorities, enforcement proceedings will commence. The administration has also warned that such actions may lead to broader implications for similar institutions.
Duke Health has not yet responded publicly to these allegations. However, the university has previously defended its DEI programs as essential for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. The situation illustrates a growing tension between the principles of affirmative action and merit-based hiring, with federal officials taking a strong stance against the former, while institutions like Duke Health advocate for the latter as a means to address historical inequities in healthcare and education.