The primary trade association representing U.S. doctors offers race-based scholarships through its philanthropic arm, something a conservative medical group argues could disqualify it from holding a tax-exempt status.
Do No Harm filed a complaint with the IRS on Tuesday detailing a number of scholarships offered by the American Medical Association Foundation that are racially exclusive. One such scholarship is available only to black medical students, another was available only to students who aren’t Asian or white, and a third was offered only to applicants of “Eastern European descent.”
According to Do No Harm and its lawyers at Consovoy McCarthy, these scholarships run afoul of “established public policy and thus renders [the AMA Foundation] ineligible for tax-exempt status.”
Do No Harm’s complaint cites Bob Jones University v. United States, a Supreme Court decision in which the justices held that the federal government could deny tax-exempt status to a nonprofit organization if it engaged in racially discriminatory behavior. If an organization “acts contrary to public policy” by engaging in “race-based discrimination,” Do No Harm’s complaint argues, Supreme Court precedent grants the IRS the right to revoke its tax-exempt status.
The AMA has not responded to a request for comment.
“Racially discriminatory scholarships are unlawful and morally wrong, to say nothing of the negative impact they have on public confidence in our medical system,” Dr. Kurt Miceli, the chief medical officer of Do No Harm, said in a statement accompanying the complaint. “Based on the evidence in our complaint, we believe the IRS should revoke the AMA Foundation’s tax-exempt status for operating a racially discriminatory program. The AMA’s obsession with identity politics is no secret, and it should be held accountable for allowing race to dictate applicants’ eligibility for valuable and lucrative learning opportunities. If the AMA Foundation wants to retain its federal tax advantage, it must open its scholarships to applicants of all races.”
HOSPITALS CONDUCTING TRANSGENDER PROCEDURES ON CHILDREN SUPPORTED BY BILLIONS IN TAXPAYER DOLLARS
In light of these accusations, Do No Harm has requested that the IRS open an investigation into the AMA Foundation.
