Statement
The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) strongly opposes the recent executive orders and policy changes at the federal level that threaten the educational, professional, and research opportunities for current and aspiring medical students. These actions jeopardize funding for critical scientific research, roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and undermine access to training programs essential for producing a robust and competent healthcare workforce.
As future physicians committed to advancing health equity and medical innovation, we recognize that these policies have immediate and long-term consequences on our ability to train, conduct research, and serve diverse patient populations. The administration’s actions disproportionately impact historically marginalized groups, stifle scientific progress, and introduce unprecedented uncertainty in medical education and training (1,2).
Impact on Research and Funding
Recent executive orders initially resulted in the indefinite suspension of grant review panels at the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), effectively freezing funding for numerous research projects (3). The NSF had halted all peer-reviewed grant applications while it vetted existing research for compliance with new federal directives, a move that disrupted the scientific enterprise and impeded critical discoveries in medicine and public health (4). Similarly, NIH had suspended external communications, including study sections that determine research funding, exacerbating concerns over delays and cancellations of biomedical research grants (5).
These funding freezes disproportionately harmed early-career researchers, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows who rely on government-funded projects for financial support and career advancement. The disruptions stalled scientific collaborations, delayed medical breakthroughs, and created uncertainty in the future of federally funded research (6). In particular, research efforts on disparities in medical devices—such as pulse oximeters, which have been found to be less accurate in Black and Brown patients—had been hampered due to executive orders limiting DEI-related research (7).
However, in response to legal challenges, these executive orders were temporarily blocked by federal judges (8,9,10). While this action offers a reprieve, the risk remains significant. The mere introduction of such directives created widespread confusion, leaving researchers uncertain about future funding security. Given the administration’s ongoing efforts to restrict federally funded research, we must remain vigilant and ensure that these orders are not reinstated or enforced through alternative measures.
Rollback of DEI Initiatives
One of the most alarming aspects of these executive orders is the targeted dismantling of DEI programs in medical education and research institutions. The administration has ordered federal agencies to terminate all DEI-related mandates and funding, including initiatives designed to address racial and socioeconomic disparities in medical training (11). This policy directly contradicts evidence demonstrating that diverse medical teams improve patient outcomes and contribute to more equitable healthcare delivery (12).
The rollback extends to higher education institutions, with new federal guidance limiting support for scholarships, mentorship programs, and research funding that prioritize underrepresented students in medicine. These actions not only reduce access to medical education for historically excluded groups but also threaten the pipeline of diverse healthcare professionals who are critical in addressing health disparities (13).
Impact on Clinical Training and Workforce Development
Medical students, residents, and international medical graduates (IMGs) face additional uncertainty due to sweeping changes in immigration policies and funding for training programs. The administration has reinstated restrictions on work visas and medical residency placements for foreign-trained doctors, raising concerns about staffing shortages in hospitals that rely on IMGs to provide care, particularly in underserved communities (14).
The immigration ban on healthcare workers from certain countries further limits opportunities for talented international students seeking to complete their medical education in the United States. Many residency applicants are now facing potential visa denials, jeopardizing their ability to train and serve in U.S. healthcare institutions at a time when the nation already faces a significant physician shortage (15). Studies show that America is increasingly dependent on foreign-trained physicians, with IMGs filling nearly 25% of the physician workforce, particularly in rural and underserved areas where U.S. medical graduates are less likely to practice (16). Restrictive immigration policies place undue burdens on IMGs and ultimately exacerbate healthcare disparities in communities that rely on their services (17).
Additionally, new federal policies have limited funding for teaching hospitals and clinical training programs, which may reduce the number of residency slots available to incoming doctors. These cuts not only threaten the future workforce but also create gaps in patient care, particularly in rural and underserved areas (6).
Call to Action
AMSA urges policymakers to immediately reconsider these harmful executive orders and advocate for policies that support medical education, research, and healthcare workforce diversity. We call for the restoration of federal funding for scientific research, protection of DEI initiatives in medical education, and expansion of clinical training opportunities to ensure that future physicians are equipped to meet the healthcare challenges of tomorrow.
Medical students and allies must take action by:
- Contacting their elected representatives to oppose funding freezes and DEI rollbacks.
- Supporting organizations that advocate for equity in medical education and research.
- Engaging in grassroots efforts to protect scientific integrity and inclusive policies.
Introducing AMSA’s CODE BLUE Initiative
To further combat these harmful policy changes, AMSA is launching CODE BLUE—a national movement to protect the future of medical education, research, and clinical training. Through CODE BLUE, we will:
- Mobilize medical students and professionals to take action at local, state, and federal levels.
- Advocate for policy changes that ensure access to training and funding.
- Defend DEI initiatives that support underrepresented students in medicine.
AMSA remains committed to advocating for an equitable and evidence-based approach to medical education and research. We stand with our fellow students, educators, and healthcare professionals in demanding policies that support diversity, scientific progress, and access to high-quality medical training.
We will continue to fight for a future where medical students and researchers can pursue their work without political interference, ensuring that the healthcare workforce remains strong, diverse, and prepared to meet the needs of all communities.
References
- National Science Foundation freezes grant review in response to Trump executive orders. NPR News, January 27, 2025.
- NSF starts vetting all grants to comply with Trump’s orders. Science AAAS, January 30, 2025.
- Trump’s team halts NIH meetings and travel. Nature, January 23, 2025.
- Chaos erupts in US science as Trump’s team declares freeze on federal grants. Nature, January 28, 2025.
- Trump’s Immigration Ban Fuels Fear for Young Doctors Whose Jobs May Be in Limbo. Hartford HealthCare, February 3, 2025.
- Potential Health Policy Administrative Actions in the Second Trump Administration. Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), December 16, 2024.
- Trump’s anti-DEI initiatives hamper pulse oximeter research. NBC News, January 29, 2025.
- Trump’s executive order on federal grants blocked by judge. AP News, February 2, 2025.
- White House memo freezing federal loans and grants challenged in court. CBS News, February 2, 2025.
- Second judge temporarily blocks federal funding freeze efforts by Trump administration. PBS NewsHour, February 3, 2025.
- Trump signs order to block federal support for minors’ gender transitions. CNN Politics, January 28, 2025.
- Why IMG physicians are vital to U.S. health security. American Medical Association (AMA), 2025.
- America is increasingly dependent on foreign doctors, but their path to immigration is getting harder. The Conversation, January 2025.
- Group of 6 Statement on President Trump’s Health Care Executive Order. American College of Physicians (ACP) Online, January 24, 2025.
- Trump Issues Executive Actions Relevant to Academic Medicine. Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), January 24, 2025.
- Trump’s new executive orders on migration are an alarming step backward. Doctors Without Borders, January 2025.
- Trump hits NIH with ‘devastating’ freezes on meetings, travel, communications, and hiring. Science AAAS, January 22, 2025.
