Consumers' Research launched a controversial ad campaign accusing Cleveland Clinic of advancing DEI initiatives and gender-affirming care instead of focusing on patient needs. The 30-second spot, titled “Exposed,” alleges the institution prioritizes race-based care and promotes transgender policies for minors. Mobile billboards in Ohio, Florida, and during a Cleveland Cavaliers game amplified the message.
In a statement to MedPage Today, Cleveland Clinic firmly denied the claims:
This campaign is filled with falsehoods. We do not perform gender-affirming surgeries on patients under 18, nor do we prioritize characteristics like race in care delivery. Our mission remains ethical, nonpartisan healthcare.
The ad references a 2023 quote from CEO Dr. Tom Mihaljevic, suggesting the system prioritizes social goals over medicine. Consumers' Research Executive Director Will Hild demanded the clinic abandon woke radicalismand refocus on affordability. Meanwhile, Cleveland Clinic declined to speculate on whether similar attacks might target other health systems.
Political tensions over DEI and LGBTQ+ healthcare have escalated nationwide. Key developments include:
- Trump-era executive orders cutting DEI funding
- VA hospitals removing LGBTQ+ Pride flags
- Vanderbilt University scrubbing DEI references online
While institutions like National Jewish Health rolled back DEI programs over political pressure, Scripps Health CEO Chris Van Gorder told reporters:
We remain committed to ethical standards. High-quality care and inclusivity are not mutually exclusive.
As healthcare becomes a cultural battleground, Cleveland Clinic’s stand highlights broader debates about equity, medical ethics, and institutional neutrality. With no comment from the American Hospital Association, systems face mounting pressure to navigate policy shifts while maintaining public trust.