Nondiscrimination Policy

PURPOSE

To comply with applicable Federal nondiscrimination acts and civil rights laws. To provide a pathway to file a grievance.

POLICY

Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the nondiscrimination law. It plays an important role in achieving the ACA goals of expanding access to health care and coverage, eliminating barriers, and reducing health inequities. Section 1557 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in certain health programs and activities. Section 1557 builds upon long standing laws and provides new civil rights protections. The following policy differentiates specific acts that are part of Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act.

In accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, RRCC will not, directly or through contractual arrangements, discriminate on the basis of race, color or national origin in its provision of services and benefits. This includes assignments, transfers, or referrals to or from the facility. Staff privileges are granted without regard to race, color, or national origin.

In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and its implementing regulation, the RRCC will not, directly or through contractual arrangements, discriminate on the basis of disability in admissions, access, treatment or employment.

In accordance with the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and its implementing regulation, the RRCC will not, directly or through contractual or other arrangements, discriminate on the basis of age in the provision of services, unless age is a factor necessary to normal operations or the achievement of any statutory objective.

The RRCC Executive Director has been designated as the coordinator for the implementation of this policy.

PROCEDURE

If an individual believes that RRCC failed to provide communication services to people with disabilities or a language barrier, or has discriminated on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex or sexual orientation, a grievance may be filed with the Executive Director or the Board Chair of the RRCC.

REFERENCES

Fort HealthCare Nondiscrimination Policy. Retrieved September 14, 2021.

HHS.gov: Civil Rights Requirements- A. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.
(“Title VI”)
https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/special-topics/needy-families/civil-rights-requirements/index.html

HHS.gov: Civil Rights. Fact Sheet: Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities Proposed Rule
https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/section-1557/summary/index.html

HHS.gov: Civil Rights: Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/section-1557/index.html

US Department of Health and Human services (HHS): Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/section-1557/index.html#:~:text=Section%201557%20prohibits%20discrimination%20on,%C2%A7%2018116(a).

U.S Department of Labor: Age Discrimination Act of 1975.
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/oasam/regulatory/statutes/age-discrimination-act

For translated materials, visit:
http://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/section-1557/translated-resources/index.html

For information on the top 15 non-English languages spoken in the State of WI, visit the table created for OCR at:
https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/section-1557/1557faqs/top15-languages/index.html