{"id":355650,"date":"2016-04-04T10:41:57","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:41:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/civilrights\/discrimination\/health-care-discrimination.html"},"modified":"2023-10-12T09:36:28","modified_gmt":"2023-10-12T14:36:28","slug":"health-care-discrimination","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/civilrights\/discrimination\/health-care-discrimination.html","title":{"rendered":"Health Care Discrimination"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Health Care Discrimination<\/h1>\n
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\n By Lark Lewis, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Aviana Cooper, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Healthcare discrimination is negative action towards, or lack of consideration of, a person or group in a protected category. Federal laws protect people from many forms of healthcare discrimination. For example, suppose you qualify for federal health insurance programs like Medicare or Medicaid. In that case, you can’t be discriminated against based on gender, race, or national origin.<\/p>\r\n

These protections extend to facilities providing services under government health and social services programs. This includes extended care facilities and hospitals. The protections also influence who insurance companies decide to cover.<\/p>\r\n

This article provides a general overview of healthcare discrimination, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Age and gender discrimination in health care are also discussed. Links to numerous articles are included as well.<\/p>\r\n

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: Overview<\/h2>\r\n

Discriminatory practices in certain health care services on the basis of race, color, or national origin are prohibited by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964<\/a>. Unlike other civil rights laws, Title VI doesn’t address discrimination on the basis of sex or on the basis of disability.<\/p>\r\n

As with other federal anti-discrimination laws, Title VI applies to healthcare programs receiving funding from the federal government. That includes Medicare and Medicaid. The Office for Civil Rights<\/a> (OCR) ensures equal access and enforces this civil rights law. The OCR is within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), a federal agency with headquarters in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\r\n

Other types of services that may be affected by the law include:<\/p>\r\n