HHS Reminds Hospitals to Serve Disabled Despite Scarce Resources

The Department of Health and Human Services issued guidance Friday to health-care providers to ensure people with disabilities receive needed health-care benefits and services despite scarce resources during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The HHS said the guidance from its Office for Civil Rights clarifies that federal civil rights laws apply to health-care providers, including those administering Covid testing and medical supplies, and entities providing hospitalization, long-term care, and treatment. They also apply to entities providing hospitalization, long-term care, intensive treatments, and critical care, such as oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilators, the HHS said.

In addition, federal civil rights laws apply to ...