The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued a final rule under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to strengthen nondiscrimination protections and advance civil rights in health care. This rule reinstates non-discrimination standards for all Health and Human Services health programs and activities, protects LGBTQI+ patients from discrimination, requires that all entities including insurers and providers let people know language assistance and services are available, requires staff training on sections of the 1557 policies and respects federal guarantees regarding religious freedoms and conscience as set for by 45 CFR 92.3 and 92.302. See the Fact Sheet.
