Tiffany Introduces Bill to Ban Race-based Preferences in Healthcare

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Tom Tiffany (WI-07) introduced the Medical Equality and Discrimination Stoppage Act, or MEDS Act. The legislation would prohibit the Biden administration, states, U.S. territories, or any other recipient of federal funds from intentionally discriminating against or granting a preference to any person based on race in connection with the distribution of, or access to, medical treatment.

Tiffany introduced the bill in response to troubling reports that several states are rationing monoclonal antibody treatments, vaccines and other forms of care based on skin color.

In Minnesota, for example, health authorities openly declared that "race and ethnicity alone, apart from other underlying health conditions," will be considered when determining access to monoclonal antibodies – with "BIPOC status" carrying more weight than Covid risk factors such as age and some pre-existing conditions. Under threat of lawsuit, however, they recently put the policy on hold.

"Denying life-saving medical care to Americans based on skin color is wrong, it is illegal, and it is un-American," Tiffany said.

This is not the first time that progressive Democrats have sought to use race as a determining factor when it comes to distributing government assistance. Last year, the Biden administration moved forward with a program that earmarked billions in agricultural aid that explicitly excluded white farmers. Courts have moved to halt the controversial program after Tiffany introduced legislation to repeal the program.

"Our constitution guarantees equal protection under the law for all Americans without regard to race, color or creed," Tiffany concluded. "It is long past time for the government to get out of the business of state-sanctioned racial discrimination."

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