1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

As a republican, I am writing to express my strong opposition to H.R. 3518, which seeks to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 by prohibiting graduate medical schools from receiving federal financial assistance if they adopt certain diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. As a [constituent/professional in the healthcare field], I believe this bill poses significant risks to the quality and accessibility of medical education and patient care. Concerns Regarding H.R. 3518 1. Potential Reduction in Medical Workforce Quality and Diversity: By restricting DEI initiatives, this bill may limit the recruitment and retention of diverse medical professionals, potentially leading to a less representative and less competent healthcare workforce. A diverse medical community is essential for providing culturally competent care and addressing health disparities. 2. Increased Healthcare Costs and Diminished Patient Outcomes: A less diverse medical workforce may struggle to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse patient population, leading to communication barriers, misunderstandings, and ultimately poorer patient outcomes. This can result in higher healthcare costs due to increased complications and longer treatment times. 3. Obstruction to Accreditation Standards: The bill’s requirements for accrediting agencies to avoid promoting DEI policies may conflict with established accreditation standards that emphasize the importance of diversity in medical education. This could jeopardize the accreditation status of medical schools, affecting their ability to operate and produce qualified healthcare professionals. Recommendations for Constructive Solutions Rather than restricting DEI initiatives, I urge you to support policies that: • Increase Funding for Medical Education: Provide additional federal funding to medical schools to expand capacity, enhance training programs, and support initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion. • Address the Aging Population’s Healthcare Needs: Invest in programs that prepare medical professionals to meet the healthcare demands of an aging population, ensuring a robust and capable workforce. • Promote Evidence-Based Practices: Support policies that encourage the adoption of best practices in medical education and patient care, including those that foster diversity and inclusion. I respectfully request that you oppose H.R. 3518 and advocate for policies that strengthen our medical education system and healthcare workforce. Thank you for your attention to this critical issue.