A proposed rule by the Biden Administration would enhance equity by continuing to mandate healthcare-related protections for many populations that health centers serve, including LGBTQ patients, patients with disabilities, Medicare/Medicaid/Marketplace patients, and patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). This proposed rule changes Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, and disability within health care settings, programs, and activities. The original rule was released in 2016 under the Obama Administration, providing regulatory authority to non-discrimination provisions within the Affordable Care Act. The Trump Administration made fundamental changes to the rule in 2019 that rolled back many protections from discrimination. Now, the Biden Administration is taking steps to restore and extend patient protections. NACHC created a customizable comment letter template to make sharing your support for these vital patient protections easier. Share your comments before the Monday, Oct. 3 deadline; submit them here.
