Attorney General Daniel Cameron, a Republican from Kentucky, recently joined Jesse Watters Primetime to discuss the presence of government-imposed racism in America. In a groundbreaking development, a national physicians group called Vituity is now facing a lawsuit over its prestigious program that offers a $100,000 bonus exclusively to Black applicants. The lawsuit, filed by the doctors group Do No Harm, claims that this program constitutes racial discrimination in violation of federal law.
Vituity is a physician-owned and operated patient medical network that provides medical care across the country, seeing around 8 million patients annually from its 450 practice locations. As part of its efforts to attract talent, Vituity offers a physician incentive program with a $100,000 signing bonus. However, the “Bridge to Brilliance Program” is now under legal scrutiny because it appears to only be open to Black physicians.
Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, the board chair of Do No Harm, stated that “Black patients want the best doctors and the best medical care – not doctors that are racially concordant.” He argues that programs like Vituity’s are abhorrent and violate federal law, as medical staffing agencies should prioritize patient safety and concerns rather than the racial makeup of physicians.
In response to the lawsuit, Vituity claims that its Bridge to Brilliance Program is designed to bridge the gaps in access and opportunities in healthcare for historically marginalized communities. The organization emphasizes its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, stating that the program provides aspiring and current healthcare professionals with resources and support.
Do No Harm’s lawsuit alleges that the $100,000 signing bonus for the program is significantly higher than normal signing bonuses offered by Vituity. The organization argues that non-Black physicians are ineligible to apply and are excluded from the program, which creates an unequal playing field based on race. The lawsuit cites Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act as violations committed by Vituity.
The lawsuit also references a recent Supreme Court case, Students for Fair Admissions Inc. v. Harvard, which declared affirmative action in college admissions illegal. Do No Harm claims that racial discrimination is invidious in all contexts, quoting the Supreme Court’s ruling.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, seeks a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to halt the program’s application period, selection process, and enforcement of racially discriminatory criteria. Ultimately, Do No Harm aims for a permanent injunction against Vituity’s racially discriminatory eligibility criteria for the program.
This lawsuit highlights the ongoing debate surrounding racial discrimination and equal access in the medical field. While Vituity maintains its commitment to diversity and inclusion, the outcome of this case could have significant implications for similar programs and initiatives across the country.
[
