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The Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office for Civil Rights released a proposed rule updating and clarifying requirements that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability in programs receiving financial assistance from the department, including health care.
The proposed rule would ensure that medical treatment decisions are not based on biases or stereotypes about individuals with disabilities; prohibit the use of value assessment methods that place a lower value on life-extension for individuals with disabilities when used to limit access or to deny aids, benefits and services; establish enforceable standards for accessible medical diagnostic equipment; and clarify obligations for accessible web and mobile applications and obligations to provide services in the most integrated setting appropriate to an individual’s needs.
Additional information is available in an HHS fact sheet. Comments are due to HHS on Nov. 13.