McDermott Will & Schulte, a global law firm

Discrimination on the basis of disability has contributed to significant disparities in healthcare and child welfare. To address these disparities, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has proposed updated regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability in programs or activities that receive HHS funds. Although most of the revisions align with expectations imposed on stakeholders through other federal laws, some proposed changes are unique to HHS programs, including regulations impacting medical treatment, value assessments, medical diagnostic equipment, digital media and child welfare programs.