The rule, published in the federal register on Friday, would rollback protections against discrimination for women, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ community and communities of color

June 14, 2020 - SACRAMENTO – California Attorney General Xavier Becerra on Friday issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) decision to finalize its regulation, “Nondiscrimination in Health and Health Education Programs or Activities” (Section 1557 Rule). Section 1557 is an anti-discrimination law that prohibits discrimination in healthcare based on gender, race, ethnicity, sex, age, or disability. HHS's changes to this rule would seriously undermine the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) critical anti-discrimination protections, hurt women and LGBTQ individuals, and come at a time when they are most needed to help address the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In the midst of a pandemic, the Trump Administration chooses to make it more difficult for Americans to access lifesaving healthcare by weakening anti-discrimination provisions that protect equal access to care,” said Attorney General Becerra. “While HHS may be content to abandon its mission of protecting public health, California is not. Allowing discrimination against LGBTQ individuals, women and others goes against our public health goals and our values as a nation. We will do whatever is necessary to stand up for the Americans who would disproportionately bear the brunt of this foolish policy.”
Source: CA. DOJ