When Ethics Meet Action: Organizing Resistance to Health Research and Healthcare Cuts Through an Equity Lens

The core principles of medical ethics - beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice - are what we rely on to ensure care is human-centered, respectful, and equitable. But when budget cuts roll through scientific research and healthcare systems, those principles are often compromised, especially for communities already navigating structural inequities.

At Watson Nelson Consulting, we work at the intersection of organizational change, cultural competency, and systems design. What we’re seeing across the country is clear: resisting cuts isn’t just about money. It’s about justice. It’s about inclusion. It’s about people.

Ethics in Practice: What’s at Risk

Let’s break it down:

• Beneficence: Providing care that promotes well-being. Budget cuts make this harder, reducing services and resources.

• Nonmaleficence: “Do no harm.” But harm happens when care is delayed, rushed, or denied.

• Autonomy: Patients need options to make informed decisions. But options shrink when programs are cut.

• Justice: Equitable access to care. This is where ethics and DEI meet—and where the impacts of disinvestment are sharpest.

As The Lancet recently reported, equity in healthcare is under threat in the U.S. (The Lancet, 2025). Cuts often start with what’s labeled “non-essential,” and that usually means community health workers, language access programs, and culturally responsive services. We're way beyond that now.

Why DEI Matters Now More Than Ever

Marginalized communities—Black, Brown, Indigenous, immigrant, LGBTQIA+, disabled, rural, low-income populations, and beyond, feel the brunt of these shifts. And the tools we use to advance equity in healthcare are often first on the chopping block.

But as the National Library of Medicine reminds us, equity in healthcare delivery and education is good practice and a moral obligation (PMC7923912). [I link to this article with hopes that it is still publicly accessible in the near future.]

Six Practical Tools for Organizing Resistance

Change doesn’t happen in isolation. Here are some ways you can take action today:

1. Center Community Voices

Who is impacted? Let those voices lead. Collaborate with patients, community advocates, and frontline staff. Create space for honest input and let it shape your strategy.

2. Use Both Data and Storytelling

Numbers tell part of the story. Real people tell the rest. Use both to make the case for preserving equitable care.

3. Leverage Your Position

If you’re in a decision-making role, speak up. Advocate for keeping DEI programs in place. Push for inclusive policies. Use your influence to challenge harmful narratives.

4. Protect DEI Resources

Language services, bias training, access programs as these are not “nice to haves.” They’re necessary for ethical, effective care. Frame them as essential, because they are.

5. Build Cross-Sector Coalitions

Healthcare doesn’t operate in a vacuum. Join forces with educators, legal experts, unions, and community organizers. A connected network can apply sustained pressure for change.

6. Know Your Rights

Explore legal protections related to health access and civil rights. In some cases, litigation or policy complaints can be powerful tools for protecting services.

A Case in Point: Steward Health Care

The fallout from the private equity acquisition of Steward Health Care illustrates what happens when business profit eclipses people. Financial mismanagement left hospitals under-resourced, staff overwhelmed, and communities underserved.

As The New Yorker reported, this isn’t a one-off crisis (The Gilded Age of Medicine), profit over person is part of a pattern that is also now greatly touted by the top echelon of our federal administration, in many sectors. That’s why organizing resistance is not just necessary - it’s urgent.

We Can Do Better - Together

If you’re tired, frustrated, or feeling powerless, you’re not alone. But here’s the truth: you have influence. Whether you’re a patient, provider, administrator, policymaker, or advocate, your voice matters.

This moment calls us to align our values with action. To protect equity, dignity, and care. To push back when systems fall short of justice.

Need Support?

At Watson Nelson Consulting, we help organizations design inclusive systems, lead through change, and build cultures of care. If you’re looking to protect or strengthen your inclusion efforts in healthcare, science, tech, or adjacent sectors, we’re here to help.

👉 Contact us at http://watsonnelson.com

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Together, we can resist harm and reimagine what equitable care looks like.