The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has spent tens of millions of taxpayer dollars annually on initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), according to a recent report by watchdog group Open The Books. The analysis of government records revealed an estimated $38.7 million per year spent on nearly 300 staffers engaged in DEI-related activities at HHS, with 247 of these employees earning more than $100,000 annually.

Additionally, HHS dedicates $29.4 million annually to support 209 staff members within the Office of Minority Health. The office’s mission is to “improve the health of racial and ethnic minority populations through the development of health policies and programs that will help eliminate health disparities.” Among its funded programs was a “vaccine equity” initiative in Atlanta, focused on providing the monkeypox vaccine to black gay men as a means to “celebrate diversity and the impact of distinctly Black gay and queer culture on the community.”

The report notes that while federal agencies have faced legal challenges regarding DEI-related expenditures, the Biden administration has maintained its commitment to a “whole of government” approach to DEI. President Biden’s 2021 executive order directed federal agencies to prioritize DEI in staffing and operations. Following this directive, HHS announced plans to employ 313 individuals across eight DEI-related departments in 2023.

HHS’s DEI initiatives extend beyond personnel costs. The department reportedly allocated $608 million for “General Departmental Management” with top goals centering on “racial equity, environmental justice, and climate change.” 

Other expenditures include $241 million for university programs aimed at hiring minority scientists and $5 million for the newly created “Office of Climate Change and Health Equity” and “Office of Environmental Justice.”

This piece first appeared at TPUSA.