Patient Organizations Applaud Release of Affordable Care Act Rule to Protect All Patients from Discrimination When Accessing Health Care

Patient groups applaud the newly released final rule on Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that will strengthen non-discrimination protections in health care. Together, the 32 undersigned organizations issue the following statement: 

“Our organizations, which represent hundreds of millions of patients and consumers facing serious, acute, and chronic health conditions across the country, thank the Department of Health and Human Services for taking this significant step to protect all patients from discrimination with the new Section 1557 final rule. This new rule reinstates protections for everyone regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in covered health programs and activities, consistent with statutory intent and case law.

Everyone should have access to the health care they need in a timely manner and without fear of  discrimination. People with serious and chronic conditions are more likely to visit hospitals and doctors’ offices for treatment with these important protections in place. If they fear discrimination, they may delay or avoid care, which leads to worse health outcomes and higher costs for both the patient and the health care system. We are proud to support this rule as an important step towards health equity for all.” 

• ALS Association 
• American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
• American Heart Association
• American Kidney Fund
• American Lung Association 
• Arthritis Foundation
• Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
• Cancer Support Community
• CancerCare
• Child Neurology Foundation
• Chronic Disease Coalition
• Chron’s & Colitis Foundation
• Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
• Epilepsy Foundation
• Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research 
• Hemophilia Federation of America
• Immune Deficiency Foundation
• Lupus Foundation of America
• Muscular Dystrophy Association
• NMDP (National Marrow Donor Program) 
• National Bleeding Disorders Foundation
• National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
• National Eczema Association
• National Health Council
• National Multiple Sclerosis Society
• National Organization for Rare Disorders
• National Patient Advocate Foundation
• National Psoriasis Foundation
• Pulmonary Hypertension Association
• Susan G. Komen
• The AIDS Institute
• The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society 
• The Mended Hearts, Inc.
• WomenHeart