North Carolina State Representative Gregory F. Murphy has expressed concerns regarding the continued promotion of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles within the medical field. In a post on November 26 on X, Murphy described these principles as “discriminatory” and “anti-merit.”
“Businesses, colleges and other groups are discarding the discriminatory and anti merit theology of DEI,” said F. Murphy. “Why are the bastions of medicine still pushing this nonsense? Patients lives are at stake. Get the politics out of medicine!!”
Murphy’s comments were made in response to the JAMA Health Forum Editorial Fellows program. This initiative offers three fellowship positions for early-career scholars with doctoral degrees interested in health policy. The program aims to provide training in editorial processes and policies, preparing fellows for future roles in health policy publications. Participants can work in one of three areas: DEI, editorial content development, or digital media engagement.
According to a press release by House.gov, Murphy has introduced the Embracing Anti-Discrimination, Unbiased Curricula, and Advancing Truth in Education (EDUCATE) Act. This legislation seeks to eliminate DEI mandates in medical education by halting federal funding to institutions that enforce specific beliefs or racial discrimination. It also requires accreditation agencies to prevent DEI-related practices while allowing instruction on race-related health issues and research data collection without promoting discriminatory practices. The bill is co-sponsored by several representatives including Gus Bilirakis, Ralph Norman, Brad Wenstrup, Beth Van Duyne, Andy Harris, Brian Babin, Diana Harshbarger, among others.
Murphy is currently serving his third term as the representative for North Carolina’s Third Congressional District. He is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, the House Veterans Affairs Committee, and the Committee on House Administration. Additionally, he co-chairs the House GOP Doctors Caucus. Murphy holds academic credentials from Davidson College and the University of North Carolina’s School of Medicine and is noted as the only practicing surgeon currently serving in Congress.
