The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) made disability rights history, releasing a highly anticipated final rule implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which will prove to be a powerful tool in fighting discrimination based on disability in healthcare and human services. It is significant news, especially after more than 40 years of advocacy by the disability community to secure greater protections.

 

Ensuring that people with disabilities will be treated equally as members of the community, Section 504 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs receiving federal financial assistance. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights, the new rule, titled “Discrimination on the Basis of Disability in HHS Programs or Activities,” advances equity and bolsters protections for people with disabilities under Section 504.

 

The final rule covers protections for key provisions, including discrimination in medical treatment, community integration, accessibility of medical equipment, web, mobile app, and kiosk accessibility and value assessment methods. The rule strengthens anti-discrimination and civil rights protections, and ensures equal opportunity for people with disabilities.

 

The work that Independence Care System (ICS) is doing to improve access to primary and specialty care for people with disabilities will be greatly advanced because of this new rule. This will support ICS in continuing its work with our partners at New York City Health and Hospitals (H+H), the largest community hospital system in the country, helping to advance health equity and improve health disparities for people with disabilities.

 

This is a win for the disability community, and for civil rights in America.

 

Regina Martinez-Estela is president and CEO of Independence Care System (ICS), the first and only Health Home program in New York providing care coordination and services to support the health, mobility, independence and equity of people with physical disabilities.