HHS restores nondiscrimination protections, expands provisions to telehealth, AI
Fierce Healthcare
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Summary
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has finalized a rule reinstating protections against discrimination in healthcare under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, age, and disability. This rule includes expanded provisions for telehealth and artificial intelligence (AI) used in patient care, ensuring these technologies apply nondiscrimination standards. It incorporates additional protections for LGBTQI+ individuals, those with disabilities, and those with limited English proficiency. The rule mandates that health insurers also comply with these nondiscrimination requirements and calls for transparent civil rights grievance procedures.
