Bass, Berry & Sims attorney David Thornton provided insights for an article in The Commercial Appeal outlining details of Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, a newly implemented provision prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex, including those related to gender identity and gender stereotyping, and increasing access to healthcare for people with disabilities, including those with limited English-speaking ability. Under Section 1557, it is now a violation of federal civil rights law for any healthcare practice, entity or insurer that receives federal funds to discriminate against patients on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, age or disability. As David points out in the article, Section 1557, “created private right of actions where an individual could actually bring a lawsuit alleging violation of this law and seeking damages.”
The full article, “Affordable Care Act Rules Arrive to Combat Health Care Discrimination in Memphis,” was published by The Commercial Appeal on August 6, 2016, and is available online.