From Moms Rising (https://www.momsrising.org/):
Discrimination should never happen—and definitely not in health care.
Now, we have a chance to combat discrimination. How? The Biden-Harris administration is currently accepting public comments on a proposed rule to reinstate the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) important nondiscrimination requirements, which were weakened by the Trump administration – and we need your voice! [1]
Quick signature at https://action.momsrising.org/sign/1557_comment_2022: Add your name to our letter in support of ensuring nondiscrimination in health care!
What’s happening? Section 1557 of the ACA, known as the “Health Care Rights Law,” was originally written to, importantly, take positive steps to prohibit discrimination by federally-funded health care providers and health insurance companies based on factors like race, ethnicity, language, age, disability, and sex – including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender expression. It is particularly important for people who live at the intersection of multiple identities!
But sadly Section 1557 was attacked and weakened under the Trump Administration. Fortunately, now the Biden Administration is considering changes that would strengthen nondiscrimination protections and help improve health care for millions of people across the country. [2] You can add your name to our sign on letter in support of reinstating and strengthening nondiscrimination requirements in health care.
Us taking time to support Section 1557 is important because it will enforce our civil rights by prohibiting discrimination. Who will be positively supported most by this proposed rule?
- People who have experienced discrimination in health care
- LGBTQ+ folks, trans people, queer folk, and intersex people
- Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
- People with disabilities
- Older adults and caregivers
- Pregnant people, people who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth or have sought and/or needed abortion care
- People whose native language is not English, or who are deaf or hard of hearing
- People at the intersection of multiple identities
Specifically, this proposed rule requires that hospitals, doctor’s offices, health insurers, state-based marketplaces, and other entities receiving federal funds CANNOT discriminate against anyone… And that’s a very good thing.
**When you click through to sign, you will also have the ability to add a personal experience, if you have one. Your stories and experiences matter! Sharing your experience with discrimination in health care will help to demonstrate that federal protection against discrimination is necessary.
We now have an opportunity to demand strengthened implementation of the Health Care Rights Law to protect all of our communities. These protections are critical to ensure everyone has access to health care.
The more people who sign on, the bigger our impact. Please take a moment to share our action link with your friends and family: https://action.momsrising.org/sign/1557_comment_2022
Together we are a powerful voice for the health of families.
P.S. If you’d like to submit a comment individually, you may do so at the Federal Register comment portal.
[1] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, HHS Announces Proposed Rule to Strengthen Nondiscrimination in Health Care[2] National Health Law Program, Questions and Answers on the 2022 Proposed Rule Addressing Nondiscrimination Protections under the ACA’s Section 1557
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