Non-Discrimination in Healthcare Law
Section 1557 is the nondiscrimination provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The law prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in certain health programs or activities. Section 1557 builds on long-standing and familiar Federal civil rights laws: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975.
SECTION 1557 OF THE PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
Section 1557 builds on long-standing and familiar Federal civil rights laws: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975. Section 1557 extends nondiscrimination protections to individuals participating in: Any health program or activity any part of which received funding from HHS
Any health program or activity that HHS itself administers Health Insurance Marketplaces and all plans offered by issuers that participate in those Marketplaces.
University of Toledo Section1557 Compliance Officer
In accordance with Section 1557 regulations, the University has designated Heather Smith, Section 1557 Interim Compliance Officer. The Section 1557 Compliance Officer is charged with monitoring compliance with these regulations and investigating concerns and complaints. Questions regarding Section 1557, as well as concerns and complaints of non-compliance, may be directed to:
Heather.Smith5@utoledo.edu
Office 419-383-5098
Statement from the Office of Civil Rights (HHS)
The University of Toledo complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. The University of Toledo does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. The University of Toledo:
Provides free aids and services to people with disabilities to communicate effectively with us, such as:
- Qualified sign language interpreters
- Written information in other formats (large print, audio, accessible electronic formats, other formats)
Provides free language services to people whose primary language is not English, such as:
- Qualified interpreters
- Information written in other languages
If you need these services:
Email: PAC@utoledo.edu
Call: 419-383-7167 Alison Hendricks, Director of Operations
If you believe that The University of Toledo has failed to provide these services or discriminated in another way on the basis of race color, national origin, age, disability, or sex, you can file a grievance with:
Heather Smith, Section 1557 Interim Compliance Officer
You can file a grievance in person or by mail, fax, or email. If you need help filing a grievance, the Section 1557 Compliance Officer is available to help you. You can also file a civil rights compliant with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, electronically through the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Portal, available at https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/portal/lobby.jsf or by mail or phone at:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Room 509F, HHH Building
Washington, D.C. 20201
1-800-868-1019, 800-537-7697 (TDD)
Complaint forms are available at: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/office/file/index.html
The University of Toledo will make appropriate arrangements to ensure that individuals with disabilities and individuals with limited English proficiency are provided auxiliary aids and services or language assistance services, respectively, if needed to participate in this grievance process. Such arrangements may include, but are not limited to, providing qualified interpreters, providing taped cassettes of material for individuals with low vision, or assuring a barrier-free location for the proceedings. The Section 1557 Compliance Officer will be responsible for such arrangements.