Fostering Inequity in Health Care Training & Ultimately in Health: The US Supreme Court’s Affirmative Action Ruling

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71164/socialmedicine.v19i1.2026.1765

Abstract

In June 2023 the US Supreme Court overturned the last protections for Affirmative Action. Affirmative Action was an important factor in helping to ameliorate historical and contemporary injustices. This judgement will inevitably result in decreased numbers of Minority health professionals. This is at odds with the changing demographics of the US, and will no doubt result in poorer health outcomes for already disadvantaged populations. Diversity in healthcare professionals is crucial. Action must be taken to maintain and advance the Minority pipeline into the health professions. 

Author Biographies

Margo Hill, Eastern Washington University

Margo Hill, JD, MURP, is a Spokane Tribal citizen and grew up on the Spokane Indian reservation. She is of the "scqescithlni" band (the Lower Spokane River). Their name refers to the many fish drying racks set up along the river for the salmon run. Dr Hill served as the Spokane Tribal Attorney for 10 years and as a Coeur d’Alene Tribal Court Judge. Ms Hill earned her Juris Doctorate from Gonzaga School of Law and Master of Urban and Regional Planning from Eastern Washington University. Her Bachelor’s degree is in Political Science from the University of Washington. Margo Hill is faculty at Eastern Washington University where she teaches Planning Law and Legislation, Community Development, Planning Implementation, Administrative Law, Community Development, Tribal Planning classes, and American Indian Law.

Frank Houghton, Technological University of the Shannon, Limerick, Ireland

Director- Social Sciences Connexions Institute

Mary Ann, Eastern Washington University, Spokane, WA, US

Dr Keogh Hoss had over 30 years of health services administration experience before teaching at Eastern Washington University. During her tenure at Eastern Washington University, she has served in several interim roles at the university including Dean of two colleges and Provost. She retired after 19 years at the university and is Professor Emeritus in the health services administration program at Eastern Washington University.

Her research interests include healthcare costs and delivery systems, mental health services, healthcare reimbursement, outcomes in therapeutic recreation, female healthcare leadership, and medical travel/tourism. She is published in a variety of areas.

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Thanks so much, Matt / Muchas gracias, Matt

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Published

2026-01-16

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 1 (2026): January-April

Section

Themes and Debates

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