{"id":12710,"date":"2024-09-13T15:21:04","date_gmt":"2024-09-13T15:21:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/?p=12710"},"modified":"2024-09-16T14:58:58","modified_gmt":"2024-09-16T14:58:58","slug":"federal-officials-open-investigation-into-cleveland-clinic-for-discriminatory-healthcare-programs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wifamily.news\/?p=12710","title":{"rendered":"Federal Officials Open Investigation into Cleveland Clinic for Discriminatory Healthcare Programs"},"content":{"rendered":"

This post originally appeared at https:\/\/will-law.org\/federal-officials-open-investigation-into-cleveland-clinic-for-discriminatory-healthcare-programs\/<\/a><\/p>\n

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The Department of Health and Human Services has determined <\/i>\u201cit has sufficient authority and cause to investigate\u201d<\/i><\/h3>\n

The News: <\/b>The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) has been notified that the Office for Civil Rights in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS-OCR) will initiate a federal investigation into Cleveland Clinic concerning racially discriminatory patient care after reviewing WILL\u2019s complaint on behalf of its client, Do No Harm (DNH).<\/p>\n

The Quotes:<\/b> WILL Associate Counsel, Cara Tolliver, stated, \u201cHHS-OCR\u2019s decision to open an investigation into Cleveland Clinic is a step forward to stamping out the use of unlawful\u00a0racial stereotypes in healthcare in favor of a legitimate, individualized approach to medicine. While our current political climate is forcing archaic racial stereotypes in every aspect of decision-making, we will continue to fight for equal treatment in healthcare, where\u00a0race-neutral decisions based on individual need are critical.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo No Harm will not rest until we eliminate all racial bias and political ideology from doctors\u2019 offices, medical schools, hospitals, and in the government agencies that regulate them,\u201d said Dr. Jared Ross, Senior Fellow at Do No Harm. \u201cThe federal investigation by HHS-OCR into the Cleveland Clinic\u2014initiated by our complaint\u2014is a small, incremental step. Do No Harm continues to wait for confirmation that patients of all races and ethnicities are now welcome for treatment at the two Cleveland Clinic programs highlighted in our complaint.\u201d<\/p>\n

Additional Background: <\/b>On August 14, 2024, WILL and DNH filed a civil rights complaint challenging two discriminatory patient programs at the Ohio-based Cleveland Clinic: the \u201cMinority Stroke Program\u201d and the \u201cMinority Men\u2019s Health Center.\u201d Both programs aim to address stroke, diabetes, men\u2019s health conditions, mental health issues, and other medical conditions\u2014touting a range of benefits from disease prevention and treatment to specialized providers, transportation assistance, prescription assistance, support groups, and education events.<\/p>\n

But because these special programs discriminate against patients based on race and are racially motivated to provide services to some in a different manner from those provided to others, Cleveland Clinic\u2019s programs violate the anti-discrimination provisions of Title VI and the Affordable Care Act (\u201cACA\u201d).<\/p>\n

On September 9, 2024, in a letter to WILL,\u00a0HHS-OCR\u00a0stated: \u201cOCR has reviewed the complaint and has determined that it has sufficient authority and cause to investigate the allegations under its authorities. Therefore, we have initiated an investigation\u2019 into the allegations that Cleveland Clinic treats individuals differently based on race or ethnicity \u2018in the tailoring and provision of services.\u2019 When we reach a determination regarding your complaint, we will advise you of our findings.\u201d<\/p>\n

If HHS-OCR determines that Cleveland Clinic\u2019s patient care programs are racially discriminatory in violation of Title VI or the ACA, it may require Cleveland Clinic to implement a plan of action to correct its violations.<\/p>\n

In such case, if the agency is unable to secure Cleveland Clinic\u2019s voluntary compliance with anti-discrimination law, HHS-OCR may secure compliance through the suspension or termination of federal financial assistance\u2014funding that often makes up a sizeable share of a health system\u2019s overall budget. \u00a0Alternatively, to obtain compliance, HHS-OCR may also refer the matter to the Department of Justice with a recommendation to initiate enforcement proceedings\u2014an option that may similarly result in the termination of federal financial assistance.<\/p>\n

About WILL: <\/b>WILL opposes discriminatory programs and policies that would prioritize characteristics such as race in decision-making over need, fairness, equality, and quality outcomes.<\/p>\n

Since 2021, WILL has represented over 60 clients in 23\u00a0states as part of its Equality Under the Law (\u201cEUL\u201d) Project and has won six times in court with many cases still pending. WILL has also repeatedly put an end to several racially discriminatory programs implemented under the Biden-Harris Administration and was recently awarded over $350,000 by a federal court after it successfully sued the Administration for race discrimination. Find out more at will-law.org\/equality<\/a><\/u>.<\/p>\n

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