Key Takeaways:
– Do No Harm, a group of medical professionals, has filed a lawsuit against Tennessee’s use of race when choosing appointments to state boards.
– Tennessee legislators force the governor to consider race when selecting members of medical and chiropractic examiners, a practice the Pacific Legal Foundation argues is unconstitutional.
– The lawsuit is also challenging racial quotas in Tennessee’s Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners.
– The lawsuit cites violations of the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause and seeks to stop enforcement of racial quotas.
Do No Harm Medical Group Challenges Tennessee’s Racial Quotas
The use of race in appointing members to state boards and commissions in Tennessee has come under fire. A lawsuit has been initiated by Do No Harm, an association of medical professionals, with the aid of the Pacific Legal Foundation. The subject of the lawsuit is the state’s practice of considering race during appointments, which Do No Harm argues is overtly racist.
Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, Do No Harm Chairman, emphasizes that the appointments to state medical boards should be primarily based on qualifications rather than race. He believes patient care and concerns should be paramount, not the racial composition of committees.
State Boards’ Racial Considerations Stir Controversy
Medical professionals in Tennessee are overseen by the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners, while chiropractors fall under the state’s Board of Chiropractic Examiners. The issue lies in the state’s requirements for these boards. Current laws enforce racial considerations in the selection process, forcing the governor to factor in race in board appointments.
Caleb Trotter, a Pacific Legal Foundation attorney, asserts that such racial bias in appointments is unconstitutional and detrimental to the spirit of Tennessee. He argues it hinders residents’ chance to serve their local communities, insinuating a form of sanctioned discrimination.
Racial Quotas Extend Beyond Medical Examiners
The lawsuit also takes issue with racial quotas in Tennessee’s Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners. The foundation notes that such race-based discrimination in state laws is not unique to Tennessee and is found in over two dozen states.
The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, emphasizes the issue at hand. It points out that with one seat on the Chiropractic Board currently open, the governor must give preference to racial minority candidates. This seat, which was made available on May 1, 2024, still requires a successor, sparking the controversy surrounding these racial considerations.
Violation of the 14th Amendment
The lawsuit claims that these racial quotas are a violation of the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. This constitutional clause assures that all citizens will receive equal protection of the laws, covering civil rights issues. The current racial quota system in Tennessee seems to be in clear violation of this principle. The lawsuit demands an injunction to halt the enforcement of these controversial quotas.
This ongoing controversy brings a much-needed spotlight on how race is used when making governmental appointments. It emphasizes the need for qualifications and patient safety to be prioritized over considerations of race in the medical field. As the case progresses, it is hoped that a shift from racial preferences to merit-based selection processes will be a key outcome. This issue not only impacts Tennessee but also signals a broader challenge against similar practices in other states. Equitable methods for appointing medical board members will ensure both the protection of patients and the upholding of constitutional rights.