Lawmaker blasts reports of ‘equitable assessments’ at medical school

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributor
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Illinois State Rep. Bill Hauter, a Republican physician and graduate of the University of Illinois College of Medicine, sharply criticized reports that the school is promoting “equitable assessments” in medical education.

He called the approach “outrageous,” “unconstitutional,” and dangerous to the medical profession.

The comments came in response to a Campus Reform report alleging that the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago is encouraging professors to adopt “equitable assessments” that emphasize students’ backgrounds, identities, and learning processes over traditional grading metrics and clinical performance.

“Well, I hope it’s not true, and if it is, it’s embarrassing,” Hauter said. “It’s my medical school.”

The University of Illinois College of Medicine has not immediately responded to The Center Square’s request for comment.

Hauter argued that diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives — which he repeatedly referred to as “DEI” — have already influenced medical school admissions and warned that extending those principles into grading and evaluations could undermine standards for future physicians.

“It is the worst thing you can do in the ultimate merit-based profession, where people’s lives are at stake,” Hauter said. “Competency in medicine has to be based on merit.”

According to Hauter, medical education should remain grounded in measurable academic and clinical standards, including anatomy, physiology, science comprehension, board exam performance, and bedside manner.

“These are all measured variables that don’t have anything to do with the color of your skin or what protected class you are,” he said. “No one would want their physician educated and credentialed according to the color of their skin.”

Hauter contrasted the reported policies with his own experience in medical school.

“Once you got into medical school, everybody was equal,” he said. “You’re graded and judged by your clinical acumen, your test scores, your ability to understand the material.”

The lawmaker also argued that public universities receiving taxpayer funding have an obligation to prioritize merit-based education.

“Every patient has a right to expect their physician has been educated according to standards based on merit,” Hauter said. “Only the best survive.”

Campus Reform reported that University of Illinois faculty materials encourage “equitable assessments” that focus more heavily on students’ learning experiences and barriers rather than solely on traditional grading outcomes.