March 3, 2025 Story by: Editor
A federal appeals court has reinstated a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by a Black woman against a Wisconsin hospital that allegedly barred her from visiting her hospitalized mother based on her race.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled that Shawanda Collins presented a valid claim against Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center, stating that the hospital’s actions may have violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Collins alleged that the hospital prohibited her from entering its premises after describing her as “an angry black female.” In its ruling, the appeals court stated that she was not required to provide a highly detailed account of racial discrimination to proceed with her claim.
The court’s unpublished opinion emphasized that her allegations were sufficient to argue that race played a role in the hospital’s decision.
Title VI prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in institutions that receive federal funding, including hospitals. Collins’ lawsuit contends that the hospital’s actions were racially motivated and unjustly denied her access to her mother.
The court’s decision allows her to move forward with her case and seek legal remedies.
The ruling underscores the broader issue of racial bias in healthcare settings and institutions. Cases like Collins’ highlight the challenges that individuals from marginalized communities often face when accessing medical services. As the case proceeds, it may shed light on hospital policies and practices that disproportionately affect Black patients and their families.
Source: Bloomberg Glaw
