Civil and Human Rights for People with Disabilities

Discrimination and Access to Health Care

If you feel you are being discriminated against in receiving medical care because of your disability, contact the in-take line at Disability Rights California.

Here are a couple of interesting and important articles about how Coronavirus might affect the disability community from a human and civil rights perspective:

Guidance Relating to Non-Discrimination in Medical Treatment for Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) – State of California

Department of Human Health and Services Bulletin on Civil Rights, HIPAA, and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 – March 28, 2020

If You or Someone You Know is Disabled: Know Your Rights to Medical Care – Disability Rights California and Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund

5 Things to Know About Coronavirus and People with Disabilities – Forbes

Coronavirus Pandemic, Discrimination, and Cold Reality

Center for Public Representation Guidance For States and Healthcare Providers on Avoiding Disability-Based Discrimination in Treatment Rationing

Multiple organizations endorse the above guidance.

Letter from Department of Managed Healthcare to All Full-Service Commercial and Medi-Cal Health Care Service Plans
It’s important to know about your rights to health care. The Congress is likely to pass a law that guarantees testing and treatment of Coronavirus will be free. Some health plans, including Medi-Cal, are already paying for the costs.

Undocumented Immigrants, Access to Health Care, and the Public Charge Rule
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services has issued an alert saying that undocumented immigrants should seek testing and treatment if they are concerned they might have Coronavirus. And most importantly, the treatment or preventive services will not negatively affect the immigrant as part of a future Public Charge analysis. This means that going to the doctor or hospital and getting treatment for Coronavirus will not hurt you if you are trying to get your green card.

COVID-19 Communication Rights Toolkit
Your legal and civil rights follow you into the hospital. CommunicationFirst has created a communication rights toolkit for the coronavirus pandemic.

The State of New York has issued a health advisory regarding hospital visitations during the coronavirus pandemic that allows people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to designate a support person who may be present in the emergency room or during hospitalization.

Disinformation and Fraud Related to Coronavirus
From Dr. Clarissa Kripke:

Please be alert to scams, which play off of fears. There has been a rise in price illegal gouging; selling expired, fake or poor quality products and test kits online; and phishing and other computer crime schemes. Please help counter conspiracy theories, prejudice, and poor quality information.