On February 4, 2022, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) issued guidance to healthcare providers regarding civil rights protections for persons with disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
The guidance was issued by the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) as part of a continued effort to protect those most at risk, advance equity, and address disparities in rates of infection, illness, and death during the COVID-19 pandemic. The OCR makes vitally clear in the guidance that preventing persons with disabilities from receiving necessary healthcare benefits and services during the pandemic violates federal civil rights laws.
What to Know About the New Civil Rights Protections for Persons with Disabilities
