North Carolina State Representative Gregory F. Murphy said that “top U.S. medical schools” are failing society by “politicizing their curriculums,” emphasizing that medicine should have no space for “political activism” when patient care is at risk. Murphy made his statement in a September 26 post on X.
“Top U.S. medical schools are doing a disservice to our society by politicizing their curriculums,” said Rep. Gregory F. Murphy. “The field of medicine has no room for political activism with patients’ lives on the line.”
Murphy has introduced the Embracing Anti-Discrimination, Unbiased Curricula, and Advancing Truth in Education (EDUCATE) Act, which aims to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) mandates in medical education. According to a press release by House.gov, this legislation seeks to halt federal funding to institutions enforcing specific beliefs or racial discrimination while also mandating accreditation agencies to prevent DEI-related practices. Additionally, it permits instruction on race-related health issues and research data collection without promoting discriminatory practices. The bill is co-sponsored by Gus Bilirakis, Ralph Norman, Brad Wenstrup, Beth Van Duyne, Andy Harris, Brian Babin, Diana Harshbarger, and others.
“We cannot allow schools or businesses with one-sided political inclinations to mount peer pressure campaigns to achieve their goals,” wrote Murphy in Newsweek. He added that faculty and students who voice concern about DEI should not be fired, coerced, or silenced and that promotions and academic success should not be tied to a commitment to any political ideology.
Murphy is in his third term representing North Carolina’s Third Congressional District, which includes significant regions of Eastern North Carolina. He holds key positions on committees including the House Ways and Means Committee, the House Veterans Affairs Committee, and the Committee on House Administration. He also co-chairs the House GOP Doctors Caucus. With academic honors from Davidson College and the University of North Carolina’s School of Medicine, he is the sole practicing surgeon among current congressional members.
