DeLauro Leads 13 Members of Congress in Urging Administration to Fully Enforce Discrimination Prohibition under the Affordable Care Act
WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) today led 13 in urging the Administration to issue rules regarding the Affordable Care Act (ACA)’s discrimination prohibitions in health care.
The letters, sent to Office of Management and Budget Director Shaun Donovan, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell, and White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough can be viewed here and here.
“Federal courts have already begun to interpret Section 1557 in absence of regulations,” they wrote. “In the meantime, consumers are susceptible to discrimination, extracting a great toll in lives, health and resources of individuals needing health care in this country. Although the law explicitly bans gender discrimination in virtually all aspects of the health care system, some health programs have continued to engage in discriminatory behavior. The pervasive discrimination in long-term care insurance is a prime example.
“The delay in the regulations has also fueled confusion,” they continued later. “Many of the regulations already issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) pursuant to the ACA simply mention antidiscrimination protections but often do not even reference Section 1557, let alone set out its requirements. As a result, some may conclude incorrectly that the regulations already issued set out the complete universe of nondiscrimination obligations under the ACA.
“The regulations to implement Section 1557 are long overdue and sorely needed to protect vulnerable populations. We urge the Administration to move swiftly to implement this critical provision.”
DeLauro is the senior Democrat on the subcommittee responsible for funding HHS, and was a vocal advocate for passing the ACA.
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