Cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, and Student Loans
Public Law 119-21 Budget Reconciliation Act Enacted
In June, both the Senate and House of Representatives passed, and the President signed into law H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” on July 4. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the bill will cut $1.02 trillion from Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program by ending enrollment of over 10.5 million Americans over ten years, and cut $490 billion from Medicare through restrictions on Medicare Savings Programs and on eligibility of immigrants. Ultimately, by 2034, an estimated 16 million Americans will become uninsured as a result of the bill, a reversal of the gains in health insurance coverage made through the Affordable Care Act. In addition, over 22 million American families would lose some or all of their food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The bill also makes reductions in the availability of federal student loans, which will adversely impact medical students who need financial assistance to support their education.
https://www.cbo.gov/publication/61461
https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2025-06/Wyden-Pallone-Neal_Letter_6-4-25.pdf
https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2025-05/61423-PAYGO.pdf
https://www.urban.org/research/publication/how-senatebudget-reconciliation-snap-proposals-will-affect-families-every-us
Physician Payment
Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: Changes to Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for Fiscal Year 2026
90 Fed. Reg. 32352-33261, July 16, 2025
The Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing changes to the Medicare physician fee schedule that would begin to discount the recommendations of the American Medical Association’s Relative Value Unit Update Committee, which uses a resource-based value scale to establish rates for primary care and specialists. CMS proposes a new efficiency adjustment that reduces payments for procedures (primary billed by specialists), while exempting time-based billing such as evaluation and management, care management services, and behavioral health services, primarily used by primary care physicians. Public comments are due on September 12.
https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/calendar-year-cy-2026-medicare-physician-fee-schedule-pfs-proposed-rule-cms-1832-p
Health Equity
National Institutes of Health: Cuts to Research on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
American Public Health Association v. National Institutes of Health, Case 1:25- cv-10787-WGY
Beginning in February, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) began terminating research grants related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The American Public Health Association, Ibis Reproductive Health, International Union United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implant workers, and individual researchers filed a legal challenge to the terminations on April 2 in the federal District Court in Massachusetts. On May 30, the District Court denied a motion to dismiss, and on June 23, the District Court issued partial summary judgment against terminations, and then on July 2, issued a final judgment against the terminations.
https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mad.282821/gov.uscourts.mad.282821.84.0.pdf
https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mad.282821/gov.uscourts.mad.282821.138.0_1.pdf
https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mad.282821/gov.uscourts.mad.282821.151.0_2.pdf
On July 18, the First Circuit Court of Appeals denied a stay of the final judgment pending appeal. American Public Health Association v. National Institutes of
Health, No. 25-1611 https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ca1.52995/gov.uscourts.ca1.52995.00108315092.0.pdf
On July 24, the NIH requested an emergency stay of the final judgment from the U.S. Supreme Court pending appeal. National Institutes of Health v. American Public Health
Association, No. 25A103
https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/25/25A103/368002/20250724161235096_APHA%20Stay%20Application.pdf
Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: Proposed Elimination of Required Hospital Commitment to Equity and Screening for Social Determinants of Health Measures in Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System for Fiscal Year 2026
90 Fed. Reg. 18002-18491, April 30, 2025
The Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is proposing the elimination of the hospital commitment to equity measure, and two screening measures for social determinants of health as part of payment to hospitals for inpatient services; these measures had been required since Fiscal Year 2023. The proposed rule notes the administrative burden on hospitals to report on these measures as the rationale for their elimination. Public comments were due on June 10.
https://www.cms.gov/files/document/health-equity-factsheet.pdf
Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: Suspends Health Equity Requirements for Medicare Advance Utilization Management Committees
On June 16, the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services suspended enforcement of health equity requirements for Medicare Advantage health plans as part of their advance utilization management. 42 CFR Sections 422.137(c)(5) and 422.137(d)(6) and (7).
https://www.cms.gov/files/document/health-equity-factsheet.pdf
Executive Order 14279: Reforming Accreditation to Strengthen Higher Education
This executive order issued on April 23 directs the Attorney General, Secretary of Education, and Secretary of Health and Human Services to review accreditation standards of Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) for “unlawful” diversity, equity, and inclusion’ requirements. As a result of the executive order, on May 19, the LCME eliminated a requirement for diversity programs and partnerships from its accreditation standards, and the ACGME suspended enforcement of the requirement in its accreditation standards that sponsoring institutions “engage in practices that focus on ongoing, mission-driven, systematic recruitment and retention of a diverse and inclusive workforce of residents/fellows, faculty members, senior administrative staff members, and other relevant members of its GME community”.
https://lcme.org/announcement-may-19-2025/
https://www.acgme.org/newsroom/2025/5/acgme-board-executive-committee-action/
Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: Proposed Rule for Outpatient Prospective Payment for Fiscal Year 2026
The Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services proposed rule for payment of outpatient services at hospitals for next fiscal year codifies Executive Order 14279, which directed a review of Accreditation Committee for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) standards to ensure that they are not include “unlawful” diversity, equity, and inclusion activities.
https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/calendar-year-2026-hospital-outpatient-prospective-payment-system-opps-and-ambulatory-surgical
Heath Affairs Forefront: Ending DEI Programs Will Not Help Asian Americans in Health Care
This commentary discusses the current attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, and highlights how Asian Americans have been used as a wedge in the arguments about affirmative action by perpetuating the model minority myth and fueling anti-Black racism. The authors note the persistent harassment and discrimination Asian American health care workers experience, exacerbated by post 9-11 targeting of South Asians, anti-China politics, and anti-Asian hate during COVID-19. The commentary describes how DEI programs have assisted underrepresented Asian Americans, especially Southeast Asians, and how their dismantling will harm all Americans by reducing opportunities for students and trainees to pursue health careers and to provide health care for all.
Federal Health Priorities
Department of Health and Human Services: Preliminary Injunction Blocks Reorganization
https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.rid.59507/gov.uscourts.rid.59507.81.0.pdf
On July 1, the federal District Court in Rhode Island issued a preliminary injunction against the reorganization and reduction in force at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on March 27. The District Court found that 19 states and the District of Columbia had legal standing to challenge the HHS actions, and that those HHS actions were arbitrary and capricious, and contrary to law. On July 18, the District Court declined to vacate or stay its preliminary injunction. It is expected that HHS will appeal.
Presidential Commission to Make America Healthy Again: Making Our Children Healthy Again Report
The Presidential Commission to Make America Healthy Again, established by Executive Order 14212, released its assessment of the contributing factors for childhood chronic disease, including poor diet, accumulation of environmental toxins, insufficient physical activity, chronic stress, and overmedicalization. The Commission is now developing a Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy.
https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/maha-commission-childhood-chronic-disease-root-causes.html
Gender-Affirming Care
U.S. Supreme Court: Upholds Tennessee Law Restricting Gender-Affirming Care for Youth
On June 18, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Tennessee Senate Bill 1, enacted in 2023, which restricts gender-affirming care for youth. The Supreme Court ruled that the state law did not violate equal protection under the 14th Amendment. 24 other states and Puerto Rico have similar restrictions on gender-affirming care for youth.
https://www.lgbtmap.org/equalitymaps/healthcare/youth_medical_care_bans
Department of Health and Human Services: Treatment for Pediatric Gender Dysphoria: Review of Evidence and Best Practices
This May 1 report, required by Executive Order 14187, reviewed the evidence and best practices for promoting the health of children and adolescents with gender dysphoria. Contrary to the consensus of national medical associations and standards of care, the review reported concerns about medical interventions, such as puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries. In an unusual feature for evidence reviews, the authors of the report were not listed.
https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/gender-dysphoria-reportrelease.html
Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: Oversight Initiative on Hospitals Performing Experimental Sex Trait Modification Procedures
On May 28, the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued letters to an unknown number of hospitals demanding information about the volume, informed consent processes, adverse events, and expenditures providing gender-affirming care to youth under age 19. This investigation is consistent with Executive Order 14187, and the Administration’s efforts to restrict such care.
https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-launches-oversight-initiative-hospitals-performingexperimental-sex-trait-modification
Federally Funded Health Care and Social Services for Immigrants
Departments of Justice, Health and Human Services, Agriculture, Education, and Labor: Re-interpretation of 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Reconciliation Act to Limit Immigrant Eligibility for Federal Public Benefits
90 Fed. Reg. 32023-32026, July 16, 2025 https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-07-16/pdf/2025-13318.pdf
90 Fed. Reg. 31232-31239, July 14, 2025 https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-07-14/pdf/2025-13118.pdf
90 Fed. Reg. 30621-30624, July 10, 2025 https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-07-10/pdf/2025-12691.pdf
90 Fed. Reg. 30896-30901, July 11, 2025 https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-07-11/pdf/2025-12925.pdf
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ETA/advisories/TEGL/2023/TEGL%2010-23%20Change%202/TEGL%2010-23%20Change%202.pdf
In a series of administrative orders and notices implementing Executive Order 14218, the Departments of Justice (DOJ), Health and Human Services (HHS), Agriculture (USDA), Education (ED), and Labor (DOL) seek to re-interpret the 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Reconciliation Act to limit immigrant eligibility for federal public benefits. The DOJ order limits access to domestic violence and mental health and substance use services, and is effective August 15. The HHS notice expands the definitions of “federal public benefits” which certain immigrants are ineligible for to include Head Start, health care provided at community health centers and community behavioral health clinics, mental health and substance use services, family planning services, and community block grant services; the re-interpretation is effective immediately but has a public comment period until August 13. The USDA notice allows states to expand ineligibility to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and is effective immediately. The ED rule expands ineligibility for federal career and technical education, and adult education, and is
effective immediately. The DOL guidance expands ineligibility for employment and training programs, and repeats requirements for employment authorization for participants. These expansive re-interpretations reverse the nearly 40-year old application of the 1996 law, and threaten public health and safety by restricting access to these vital safety net services. On July 21, New York and 19 other states and the District of Columbia filed a legal challenge to these reinterpretations in federal District Court in Rhode Island. New York v. Department of Justice, Case 1:25-cv-00345
https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.rid.60060/gov.uscourts.rid.60060.1.0_1.pdf
Immigration and Citizenship
Presidential Proclamation 10949: Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats
On June 4, the Trump Administration renewed a ban on travel and immigration from 19 countries, many with majority Muslim populations, as the latest version of a Muslim ban. Under the first Trump Administration, the ban ultimately was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court after numerous legal challenges and several revisions. The two Asian countries included in the new ban are Burma and Laos.
U.S. Supreme Court: Overturns Nationwide Injunctions Blocking Implementation of Executive Order 14160 Restricting Birthright Citizenship
Trump v. CASA, No. 24A884
On June 27, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned three nationwide preliminary injunctions against the implementation of the inaugural day Executive Order 14160, which seeks to re-interpret 14th Amendment and end the right to U.S. citizenship by birth. The Supreme Court ruled that nationwide preliminary injunctions could not be issued against executive actions, and did not address the constitutionality of the executive order. The Supreme Court delayed the effective date of its ruling for 30 days, and a new nationwide class action challenge against the executive order was filed on June 27. On July 10, the federal District Court in New Hampshire certified a nationwide class and issued a new preliminary injunction on behalf of that nationwide class blocking implementation of the executive order. It is expected that the class certification and the preliminary injunction will be appealed.
Barbara v. Trump, Case 1:25-cv-00244-JL-AJ
https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nhd.65710/gov.uscourts.nhd.65710.1.0_2.pdf
https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nhd.65710/gov.uscourts.nhd.65710.65.0_2.pdf
On July 23, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a nationwide preliminary injunction against the executive order on behalf of Washington and 3 other state plaintiffs (Oregon, Arizona, and Illinois). It is also expected that this latest decision will be appealed back to the U.S. Supreme Court. Washington v. Trump, Case 25-807
https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ca9.3b7bc70c-6fcb-460e-9232-c6bc8ad16303/gov.uscourts.ca9.3b7bc70c-6fcb-460e-9232-c6bc8ad16303.163.1.pdf
Language Access
Department of Justice: Implementation of Executive Order 14224 Declaring English the Official Language of the U.S.
On July 14, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a memorandum implementing Executive Order 14224 Declaring English the Official Language of the U.S. The memorandum directs all federal departments to “phase out unnecessary multilingual offerings” while repeating that the executive order does not require federal departments to “amend, remove, or otherwise stop production of all multilingual documents, products, or other services prepared or offered”. The DOJ will develop new guidance for how federal departments can “prioritize English while explaining precisely when and how multilingual assistance remains necessary to fulfill their respective agencies’ mission and efficiently provide Government services”.
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-releases-guidance-implementing-president-trumps-executive-order
Health Disparities for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders
JAMA Network Open: County-level Factors and Mortality Among Pacific Islander Compared with Asian American Adults
Shing JZ, Mitra PR, Freedman ND, Taparra K, DeVille NV, Bess JL, Madrigal JM, Berrington De Gonzalez A, Shiels MS, Vo JB. County-level factors and mortality among Pacific Islander compared with Asian American adults. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(6):e25114248
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2835059
This cross-sectional study analyzed 2018-2020 National Center for Health Statistics death certificate data to compare all-cause, cancer, and heart disease mortality between Pacific Islander and Asian American adults aged 20 to 84 years. Mortality rate ratios for Pacific Islanders were significantly higher than for Asian Americans across four county-level socioeconomic factors: unemployment, educational attainment, median household income, and population density. The largest relative mortality differences were in counties with the lowest unemployment, highest educational attainment, highest median household income, and highest population density. While community resources such as comprehensive health care infrastructures quality treatment and followup care, and translational services are more likely to be available in neighborhoods with these higher socioeconomic statuses, these resources are not benefitting or equally accessible to Pacific Islanders, who experience the highest mortality ratios in these counties. The authors note that reduced resilience from weakened times to their ancestral lands and high levels of medical distrust may explain these differences. These findings highlight how aggregating these populations may have misled health improvement efforts away from the hidden disparities experienced by Pacific Islanders, including those living in high socioeconomic areas.
JAMA Network Open: Health Equity Demands Data Disaggregation – Uncovering Pacific Islander Mortality Gaps
Oronce CIA, Nguyen KH. Health equity demands data disaggregation – Uncovering Pacific Islander mortality gaps. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(6):e2514259
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2835063
This commentary emphasizes that data disaggregation is not merely a methodological detail, but a matter of health equity because aggregating Pacific Islander and Asian American health data masks important disparities, hinders data-driven policy interventions and resource allocations, and functions as a mechanism of structural racism. In the current political climate, when the substantial progress in health equity is under threat, the authors call for nongovernmental organizations to step in, and fund data collection and research that center Pacific Islander communities in equal partnership.
Diabetes Care: High Prevalence of Prediabetes Among Asian and Pacific Islander Adolescents With Overweight or Obesity in a Primary Care Population
Bacong AM, Njuguna V, Darbinian J, Rodriguez LA, Gunderson EP, Greenspan LC, Rajeshuni N, Palaniappan L, Lo JC. High prevalence of prediabetes among Asian and Pacific Islander adolescents with overweight or obesity in a primary care population. Diabetes Care. 2025 Jun 30:dc250343 doi:10.2337/dc25-0343.
This retrospective cross-sectional study of Asian and of Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders (NHOPI) adolescents aged 10–17 years enrolled in Kaiser Permanente Northern California with overweight or obesity and with visits during 2012–2019 showed a higher prediabetes prevalence (26.9%) than White adolescents (11.9%), with the highest prediabetes prevalence of 32.0% for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander adolescents, followed by 31.0% for South Asian, 28.2% for Filipino, 25.9% for Chinese, and 18.4% for Vietnamese adolescents. These findings highlight how prediabetes screening is essential for the high-risk population of Asian and of Native Hawaiian and Pacific adolescents with overweight or obesity.
JAMA: Differential Obesity Trends in Asian and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander US Adults
Lo JC, Parikh RV, Tan TC, Alexeeff SE, Ambrosy AP, Howick CK, Daida YG, Go AS. Differential obesity trends in Asian and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander US Adults. JAMA. Published online July 10, 2025. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.9901
Analysis of 2012-2023 data from Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, and White adults aged 30 to 49 enrolled in Kaiser Permanente Northern California showed that obesity or high BMI (> 27.5) was highest among Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders, but accelerated the fastest among Filipino and Other Southeast Asians. The study highlights the importance of BMI tracking by disaggregated racial groups, and lower BMI intervention thresholds for Asian adults.
JAMA Network Open: Race and Ethnicity, Recent Transmission, and Tuberculosis Infection in a Low- Incidence US State
Humayun M, Mukasa L, Ye W, Yang Z. Race and ethnicity, recent transmission, and tuberculosis infection in a lowincidence US state. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(7):e2523268
This cross-sectional study of 2010-2021 tuberculosis data in Arkansas found that Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders had the highest incidence of both clustered (49.42 per 100,000) and non-clustered (15.20 per 100,000) tuberculosis among all racial and ethnic groups. These findings demonstrate the need for active tuberculosis case finding, targeted screening, and equitable access to treatment and prophylaxis.
JAMA Network Open: Trends and Key Factors Associated With Racial and Ethnic Differences in Life’s Essential 8 Scores
Yang H, Huang C, Sawano M, Herrin, J, Faridi KF, Li Z, Spatz E, Krimholz HM, Lu Y. Trends and Key Factors Associated With Racial and Ethnic Differences in Life’s Essential 8 Scores. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(6):e2516663
This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the 2011-2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey among adults aged 20 to 79 years. While Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) scores – for diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure, sleep health, body mass index, blood glucose, blood lipids, and blood pressure – remained relatively stable over the study period, there were some notable racial and ethnic differences. Overall, while Asians had the highest LE8 scores among all racial and ethnic groups, and generally had higher scores in 2017-2020 compared to 2011-2012, their scores for blood lipids, blood pressure, body mass index, blood glucose, and sleep health worsened over those time periods. It is significant that many of these worsening scores are based on clinical and laboratory measures, which would only be documented through regular access to primary care. The authors also call for early, culturally appropriate outreach and intervention, enhanced access to preventative services, and behavioral support to address racial and ethnic disparities.
JAMA Network Open: Racial and Ethnic Differences in Mental Health Service Use Among Adolescents
Ma Y, Ramos C, Wen H, Cummings JR. Racial and ethnic differences in mental health service use among adolescents. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(6):e2516612
This cross-sectional study analyzed 2022-2023 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from adolescents aged 12 to 17 years. Among adolescents with a major depressive episode in their lifetime, Asian and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander adolescents were the least likely racial and ethnic group to have had an outpatient mental health visit or an emergency department mental health visit or to be prescribed psychotropic medication, and the second group least likely to have had a telehealth mental health visit. Asian and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander adolescents with a major depressive episode did access school-based mental health services at comparable rates to other racial and ethnic groups. Stigma, mistrust, and historical experiences of discrimination may make dolescents and their families hesitant or reluctant to engage with mental health services.
Medical Education and Training for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders
NEJM Catalyst: Dismantling Asian American Stereotypes in Medicine
Chen I, Ko M, Yuen E. Dismantling Asian American stereotypes in medicine. NEJM Catalyst. 2025; 6.10.1056/CAT.24.0429
This commentary notes that although Asian Americans are 17% of the physician workforce and 22% of graduating medical students, they experience mistreatment, discrimination, and barriers to leadership, exacerbated by the increase in anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic. The commentary uses experiential narratives to provide examples of strategies to dispel harmful stereotypes about Asian Americans as perpetual foreigners, a model minority, being mistaken for or compared to a peer with a shared Asian American identity, having sufficient financial resources, being quiet or lacking assertiveness, and being excluded from diversity, equity, and inclusion conversations and activities. The authors propose an individualized identity approach, including cultural humility, collective healing, inclusivity, and allyship, to co-construct a culture of belonging in medicine, where everyone can contribute and thrive.
BMJ Open: Insights and Interventions for Improving Cultural Humility Towards Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Populations in Medical Curricula: A Qualitative Case Study
Cai C, Kong S, Im C, Mondell E, Le TK, Irvin N, Lawson SM. Insights and interventions for improving cultural humility towards Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations in medical curricula: a qualitative case study. BMJ Open. 025;15(7):e099325
https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/bmjopen/15/7/e099325.full.pdf
Focus groups and interviews were conducted with 15 medical students at John Hopkins University School of Medicine and 8 medical educators from John Hopkins and 4 other medical schools about potential educational interventions to improve cultural humility for treating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander patients. The participants identified opportunities for reflection and debriefing, community-led education and research, and clinical training on documenting and addressing language and cultural needs as potential interventions. The medical educators supported such interventions and noted that they would better prepare medical students to work with Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander patients, as well as all patients from diverse backgrounds. However, one of the principles of cultural humility is to highlight rather than condense the diversity of patient experiences, so it is important to generalize away the diversity of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander patient populations
JAMA Network Open: Intersectionality of Sexual Orientation, Race, and Ethnicity in Medical School Attrition
Nguyen M, Boatright D, Sánchez JP, Hajduk AM, Venkataraman S, O’Connell M, Aviles A, Rajbhandari P, Chaudhry SI. Intersectionality of sexual orientation, race, and ethnicity in medical school attrition. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(6):e2514515
This cross-sectional study of 2014-2017 data from the Association of American Medical Colleges, with 2.5% leaving medical school before graduation. A higher proportion of bisexual (4.2%) and gay and lesbian students (3.7%) left medical school. In intersectional analyses, gay and lesbian and bisexual Hispanic male and female medical students had the highest rates of attrition (over 10%). Interestingly, among both Asian males and females, the attrition rates were lower for gay and lesbian and bisexual Asian medical students, compared to non-gay and lesbian and bisexual Asian medical students. There needs to be more attention to the experiences of diverse medical students using an intersectional analyses, and the development of services that support medical student success.
JAMA Network Open: Asian American Female Residents’ Perceptions of Facilitators and Barriers to Leadership in Medicine
Ho SJ, Jiang JW, Yu CT, Xu E, Yuen EY. Asian American female residents’ perceptions of facilitators and barriers to leadership in medicine. JAMA Netw Open.
2025;8(5):e2512271
This qualitative study explored the perceptions of Asian American female resident physicians regarding barriers and facilitators to leadership in academic medicine, where they are the most underrepresented group among all faculty. Interviews with 15 Asian American female residents aged 25 to 32 years from diverse ethnic backgrounds and specialties across the U.S. in 2023-2024 revealed four key themes: the importance of role models; multi-factorial development of professional identity through peers, mentors, and institutional programs; exclusionary workplace cultures (including discrimination and gendered expectations), and a mismatch between traditional leadership norms and sociocultural perceptions of Asian American women. These findings highlight structural and cultural challenges while identifying opportunities to improve representation and support for Asian American women in academic medicine leadership.
JAMA Network Open: Advancing Asian American Women in Medical Leadership – Breaking Another Glass Ceiling
Yellen M, Paul S. Advancing Asian American women in medical leadership – Breaking another glass ceiling. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(5):e2512276
This commentary highlights the persistent underrepresentation of Asian American women in academic medicine leadership despite their high presence in the physician workforce. While noting common barriers for other underrepresented women and people of color, there are specific cultural stereotypes for Asian American women such as being perceived as too passive for leadership or, conversely, penalized when perceived as too assertive. The authors call for strengthened mentorship and sponsorship, transparent promotion processes, and institutional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion – especially in a time when such efforts are under attack and threatened.
NCAPIP represents Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander physicians committed to the advancement of the health and well-being of their patients and communities. NCAPIP believes in shaping health care in America to meet this shared American goal of optimal health for all.