Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized a 2022 proposed rule, codifying critical nondiscrimination protections under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act. The finalized rule updates existing protections under Section 1557, ensures LGBTQI+ people are protected from health care discrimination, and strengthens key protections for marginalized communities—including people whose primary language is not English.
The finalized rule announced today ensures that no one will be denied or restricted access to any health program or activity that receives federal financial assistance based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Following the finalization of the rule, Cait Smith, director of LGBTQI+ Policy at the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement:
Codifying nondiscrimination protections under Section 1557 will ensure LGBTQI+ Americans can visit a doctor for a checkup or receive a cancer screening without fear of discrimination. By finalizing this landmark rule, the Biden administration and HHS make clear that no one seeking health care should be treated differently by medical providers due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, or pregnancy status. Everyone deserves the same access to health care without fear of discrimination. This rule is a major win not only for the LGBTQI+ community but also for everyone seeking access to health care.
For more information on this topic or to speak to an expert, please contact Julia Cusick at [email protected].