United States of Care Submits Comment Letter to HHS in Commending Modernization of Section 504 Regulations

On November 13, United States of Care (USofCare) submitted a comment letter in response to a proposed rule by the Department of Health & Human Services’ (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Pulling insights from our listening work across the country, we commend HHS for the provisions in this rule that will help advance health equity by ensuring disabled people* are provided with the dignity, autonomy, and respect that they deserve in health care settings.

If enacted, the proposed rule, entitled “Discrimination on the Basis of Disability in Health and Human Service Programs or Activities,” will institute direly-needed provisions to the Department’s regulation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1974. This includes an explicit prohibition on medical treatment denials or limitations that are based on bias, stereotypes, or judgments about an individual’s disability or their quality of life, as well as establish requirements for accessible Medical Diagnostic Equipment (MDE). 

USofCare is appreciative of the opportunity to comment on this proposed rule.

*Note: USofCare utilizes “disabled people” to honor identity-first language throughout our comments. We acknowledge and respect that disability identification terms vary from person to person.