An exam room at a clinic in Flint, Mich. (Jake May/MLive.com/TNS)
A pair of federal rules are imposing first-ever requirements designed to ensure that people with disabilities are better served when they visit the doctor
The regulations mandate more widespread adoption of accessible medical equipment including weight scales, examination tables, X-ray machines and more
Starting this summer, many hospitals and doctor’s offices that use examination tables or weight scales must have at least one that meets accessibility standards. Staff must be qualified to operate such equipment and assist with transfers
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
The mandate comes under largely identical rules issued by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services. The HHS rule under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act took effect July 8 and the Justice Department regulation issued under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act had an Aug. 9 deadline
Despite laws prohibiting disability discrimination, federal officials said that “significant discrimination” in healthcare persisted when the rules were finalized by the Biden administration in 2024
“We heard so many extreme stories including people with disabilities sometimes having to drive many dozens of miles or having to go to a vet’s office in order to get weighed,” said Jennifer Mathis, deputy director at the Bazelon Center for <a href="https://healthylife7.com/u-s-commander-says-mental-health-a-priority-aboard-uss-lincoln/" title="U.S. commander says mental health a priority aboard USS Lincoln”>Mental Health Law who helped craft the Justice Department regulation as deputy assistant attorney general for civil rights under the Biden administration
To address the issue, the regulations adopted the U.S. Access Board’s standards for accessible medical diagnostic equipment and spelled out exactly what types of equipment hospitals and doctor’s offices must have
Since 2024, the rules have specified that any newly purchased or leased medical equipment must be accessible until health care providers subject to the regulations reach a minimum number. For clinics, hospitals and other general medical practices, 10% of all medical equipment must be accessible including at least one of each type of item used. That threshold increases to 20% for any medical facility that specializes in treating conditions affecting mobility
At facilities with multiple departments, accessible equipment must be dispersed, the rules indicate
“For too long, people with disabilities have been unable to access critical healthcare services due to the inaccessibility of medical equipment, causing worse health outcomes like higher rates of preventable disease and shorter lifespans,” said Alison Barkoff, a professor at George Washington University who led HHS’ Administration on Community Living under the Biden administration. “These requirements are critical in addressing the health disparities that too many people with disabilities face.”
Notably, the Trump administration delayed implementation of HHS and Justice Department rules earlier this year mandating that websites and mobile applications — including those run by certain healthcare providers — meet accessibility standards, but allowed the accessible medical equipment requirements to take effect as scheduled
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access
Read more stories like this one. Sign up for Disability Scoop’s free email newsletter to get the latest developmental disability news sent straight to your inbox
