The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) is facing a lawsuit from Do No Harm, an organization opposing the politicization of medicine, over a scholarship program that allegedly discriminates against white applicants. The lawsuit claims the NAEMT violated federal law by restricting white applicants from accessing a diversity scholarship aimed at emergency medical technician students.
Do No Harm filed the suit in response to the NAEMT’s program, which offered $1,250 to four students, excluding white candidates. This scholarship has since been removed from the NAEMT’s website following the legal action.
Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, Chairman of Do No Harm, criticized the NAEMT’s approach, emphasizing that medical training and opportunities should prioritize competence and patient care over skin color. The lawsuit argues that the exclusion of white students from the scholarship violates the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which prohibits racial discrimination in contractual agreements.
Representing an anonymous white student aspiring to become an EMT, Do No Harm is seeking a permanent injunction to halt the NAEMT’s program and a temporary restraining order to prevent the closure of the scholarship application process and the enforcement of the discriminatory eligibility criteria.
The NAEMT declined to comment on the lawsuit, stating that it does not discuss ongoing legal matters. This lawsuit comes amid a broader trend of institutions adopting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, often leading to actions seen as racially discriminatory.
The DEI agenda, particularly in the health field, has faced criticism for its application of Critical Race Theory principles. Do No Harm aims to shield healthcare from the adverse effects of identity politics, advocating for equal opportunities and merit-based decisions in medical professions. Dr. Goldfarb emphasized the importance of the lawsuit in ensuring that first responders and medical professionals are selected and trained based on merit, not race.