Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act provides important protections against discrimination in health care programs and activities based on race, color, immigration status, language proficiency, sex, sex stereotypes, gender identity, age, or disability.
The Biden Administration is currently considering changes that would strengthen Sec. 1557 protections. The National Health Law Program will publish additional resources and provide opportunities for public comment when the proposed rule change is released.
1557 Resources and Analysis
- November 2, 2021
Amicus brief from National Health Law Program in CVS v. Doe
Elizabeth Edwards and Wayne TurnerIn CVS v. Doe, individuals living with HIV challenge a decision by their health insurers to require access to…
- June 19, 2020
HHS Eliminates or Weakens Regulatory Protections Against Discrimination in Health Care
Wayne Turner, Mara Youdelman, and Madeline MorcelleAs part of its ongoing attacks on health care and civil rights, the Trump administration recently finalized drastic changes…
- August 13, 2019
NHeLP comments on proposed rulemaking for Section 1557 – Nondiscrimination in Health and Health Education Programs or Activities
Wayne Turner, Jennifer Lav, and Mara YoudelmanSection 1557 of the Affordable Care Act provides important protections against discrimination in health care programs and activities based…
- July 11, 2019
The Trump Administration’s Proposed Changes to Language Access in the Section 1557 Regulations
Mara YoudelmanFeaturing presenters from the National Health Law Program and the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, this webinar…
- June 12, 2019
Webinar: Trump’s Proposed Rollback of the ACA’s Nondiscrimination Protections
Candace Gibson, Wayne Turner, and Mara YoudelmanAt the end of May the Trump administration released a proposed regulation that would undermine or eliminate key protections…
- June 4, 2019
Protections for LGBTQ People with Behavioral Health Needs
Abigail CoursolleDespite progress in breaking down discrimination against LGBTQ people seeking access to quality health care, the current administration and…
- June 4, 2019
Q&A: Proposed Rollback of Nondiscrimination Protections Under the ACA’s Section 1557
Wayne Turner and Candace GibsonIn courts and through regulatory action, the administration is vigorously working to dismantle the Affordable Care Act (ACA). On…
- March 16, 2018
Q&A Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act: Protections for Transgender Individuals
Jennifer LavA recent federal court injunction has undermined the Affordable Care Act's provisions intended to end discrimination of transgender individuals…
- May 28, 2014
NHeLP and The AIDS Institute Complaint to HHS Re HIV/AIDS Discrimination by FL
Jane Perkins and Wayne TurnerComplaint to the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS OCR) requesting…
- December 4, 2013
NHeLP Comments on Information Regarding Nondiscrimination – Section 1557
Mara Youdelman and dfitzgeraldComment submitted to the HHS in response to the proposed rule issued on April 5, 2013 regarding standards for…
- July 23, 2013
The ACA and Application of § 1557 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Mara YoudelmanThis memo analyzes how the nondiscrimination provision enacted as Sec. 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act…
- September 8, 2020
NHeLP is a friend of the court in case involving the implementation of the ACA’s Non-Discrimination Provision
Elizabeth Edwards, Abigail Coursolle, and Cathren CohenLast week, the National Health Law Program (NHeLP) filed an amicus brief, signed by ten other health and civil…
- August 6, 2020
Health Insurers Should Be Wary of Trump Regulatory Rollback
Wayne TurnerConfusion. Uncertainty. Such is the entirely predictable result of the Trump administration’s latest ignominy. In a final rule published…
- August 6, 2020
Trump Administration’s Regulatory Rollback of Health Care Nondiscrimination Protections Incites Reproductive Health Injustice
Madeline MorcelleSex discrimination is deeply entrenched in our health care system. In recent years, it has manifested as obstetric violence,…
- August 6, 2020
Trump Administration Rolls Back Important Health Care Protections for People with Disabilities and Chronic Health Conditions
Dania DouglasOn June 24, 2020, the Trump Administration announced it would roll back regulatory provisions protecting against discrimination in health…
- May 28, 2019
Administration’s Proposed Regulation Change to ACA’s Nondiscrimination Provision Would Rollback Civil and Health Rights Progress
Elizabeth G. TaylorOpening the door to discrimination in our health care system is no way to ensure equal access to vital…
- November 2, 2017
The Law Is Not in Trump’s Court: Kyler Prescott’s Case and Sec. 1557 of the Affordable Care Act
Wayne Turner and Candace GibsonTwo years ago, the world lost Kyler Prescott. Kyler was a 14 year-old, transgender boy who battled against depression,…
- September 28, 2017
Anti-discrimination Protections for Health Care of LGBTQ People Under Attack
Kimberly Lewis*Editor's Note: This piece was updated in October following recent action by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.Over the past…
