|
February 21, 2003 - The AAMC along with 30 other healthcare-related
organizations Feb. 18 filed
an amicus or friend-of-the-court brief in support of the University
of Michigan in the case of Grutter vs. Bollinger et. al.,
now before the Supreme Court of the United States. The case,
one of two affirmative action cases being considered by the
Court, challenges the University's use of racial preferences
in its law school's admissions policies.
The AAMC argues in the brief that the medical profession
must be able to consider race and ethnicity in selecting students
in order to graduate a capable, effective physician workforce
prepared to meet the needs of a diverse society. The brief
cites several arguments why society has a critical need for
more minority physicians, including:
- Existing health care disparities will only increase as
the minority population grows;
- Minority physicians are more willing to practice in underserved
areas;
- Minority patients' trust in the health care system increases
when treated by members of their own racial or ethnic group;
and
- More minorities in medical student populations lead to
diversity in medical research.
The brief goes on to point out how classroom diversity also
helps to create physicians and health care managers who are
both proficient and culturally competent.
Oral arguments are scheduled for April 1, 2003. The Supreme
Court has no fixed deadline for its decisions, but normally
they are issued before the end of its current term, which
would be sometime before July 1, 2003.
Information:
Charles Terrell
AAMC Division of Community and Minority Programs
cterrell@aamc.org
202-862-6105
Get Washington Highlights
in your Inbox!
| 
