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Recently, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a “final rule” to advance health equity and reduce healthcare disparities. Under the new rule, individuals are protected from discrimination in healthcare on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability and sex. The rule also protects against discrimination based on pregnancy, gender identity, and sex stereotyping. The Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities final rule impacts portions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
“A central goal of the Affordable Care Act is to help all Americans access quality, affordable health care.” said HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell. “Today’s announcement is a key step toward realizing equity within our health care system and reaffirms this Administration’s commitment to giving every American access to the health care they deserve.”
According to research from the HHS, an estimated 8 in 10 uninsured Latinos qualified for Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP), or lower monthly premiums through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Also, 8.8 million Latinos with private health insurance now have access to preventive services such as mammograms, cervical cancer screenings, or flu shots with no co-pay or deductible.
The final rule from HHS helps consumers who are seeking to understand their rights and clarifies the responsibilities that healthcare providers and insurers that receive federal funding. The rule also helps address the responsibilities of issuers that offer plans through the Marketplace.
To date, 913,000 Latino adults between the ages of 19 and 26 who would have been uninsured currently have coverage under their parents’ plan. Also, 4.2 million Latinos (ages 18-64) gained health insurance coverage, lowering their rates by 7.7% points.
Also as part of the final rule, marketing practices or benefits that are designed to discriminate based on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability are prohibited. It also prohibits the same type of discriminatory behavior by healthcare providers that accept Medicare or participate in the Medicaid program.
Read more about the story here.
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By The Numbers
25.1
percent
of Latinos remain without health insurance coverage
