Sen. Blackburn slams VUMC over "concealing" DEI
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Vanderbilt University Medical Center is facing mounting federal scrutiny this week after Sen. Marsha Blackburn sent a letter accusing the institution of failing to end diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Why it matters: President Trump has threatened to withhold mountains of federal funding from medical centers or universities that don't eliminate all DEI programs.
- Blackburn, a close Trump ally and likely candidate for governor next year, is putting VUMC under a microscope.
What she's saying: The senator accused VUMC of "concealing" its DEI efforts on password-protected websites "instead of fully complying with President Trump's executive action to end wasteful DEI programs in educational institutions."
Zoom in: "Offices such as the Office of Health Equity, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and the Office for Diversity Affairs are seemingly still active," Blackburn said in her letter. "These offices have advocated for 'collectively addressing systemic inequities' and 'confronting structural racism.'"
The other side: VUMC spokesperson John Howser said the medical center "is eliminating all DEI programs and is fully complying with executive actions on DEI.
- "Shortly after the Executive Orders were issued, VUMC began removing related content on internal and external websites to reflect the termination of these programs," he said in a statement.
- "VUMC will continue to comply with federal mandates and directives."
Between the lines: Health research has a problematic history with exclusion: It wasn't until the early 1990s that women were required by law to be included in health studies.
- VUMC has worked to expand its research. For instance, VUMC researchers have examined higher rates of heart failure for women and black men in rural areas.
- VUMC's Office of Health Equity works to ensure that disadvantaged groups have access to health care. For instance, the office studies community health needs in six Middle Tennessee counties.
The big picture: Trump has taken a hardline stance against diversity initiatives in and outside of government. The battle between Republicans and research institutions over DEI is coming to an apex.
State of play: Harvard refused to comply with Trump's demands to slash DEI initiatives. In response, the Trump administration froze $2.2 billion in federal funding.
Zoom out: VUMC, which is separate from Vanderbilt University, is a major driver of medical research and is already facing financial challenges.
- The medical center is preparing to reduce its budget by $250 million due to the Trump administration's cuts in health research funding.