Consumers’ Research, a prominent non-profit organization focused on consumer advocacy, has launched a campaign aimed at the Cleveland Clinic, accusing it of prioritizing progressive politics over patient care. The initiative, titled "Cleveland Clinic Exposed," questions whether the healthcare institution is "the wokest hospital in America" and highlights what it perceives as the clinic’s alignment with "woke" ideologies.
The campaign’s messaging will be prominently featured in a 30-second advertisement that is set to air during the upcoming Cleveland Cavaliers versus Toronto Raptors basketball game. The ad criticizes the Cleveland Clinic for allegedly prioritizing care based on race, performing gender transition procedures on minors, and promoting what the organization describes as "transgender propaganda."
In a statement, Consumers’ Research Executive Director Will Hild expressed concern that the Cleveland Clinic’s leadership seems to embrace a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) agenda that he believes detracts from its primary mission of providing quality healthcare. Hild stated, "From unethical race-based care to transgender mutilation surgeries on kids, Cleveland Clinic seems hell-bent on satisfying every woke fixation while cost-reduction for patients is a distant afterthought."
The Cleveland Clinic has previously faced scrutiny for its policies and statements. In a letter from CEO Tom Mihaljevic, the organization indicated that its mission extends beyond healthcare, emphasizing a commitment to community upliftment and sustainability. This has drawn criticism from groups like Consumers’ Research, which argue that such an approach compromises the quality of care patients receive.
The ad campaign also includes digital outreach and mobile billboards targeting key locations, including the Ohio State Capitol and the Cleveland Clinic’s main campus. The initiative aims to raise public awareness about the clinic’s alleged political leanings and their potential impact on patient care.
In response to the campaign, a spokesperson for the Cleveland Clinic asserted that the advertisement contains inaccuracies and emphasized that the clinic does not discriminate based on race, gender, or other categories. The spokesperson reiterated the organization’s commitment to providing equitable healthcare for all patients.
As the debate over the intersection of healthcare and politics continues, the Cleveland Clinic finds itself at the center of a contentious discussion regarding the role of healthcare institutions in addressing social issues. The outcome of this campaign may influence public perception and the clinic’s reputation in the community.