News

The National MS Society responded to a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed rule, which aimed to prevent discrimination based on disability in programs or activities the agency supports. The rule looks to align HHS policies with several regulations in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and contains several key updates that have been urged by the disability rights community for many years. The Society urged the agency to further examine how discrimination creates barriers to accessing medical care and encouraged HHS to meet with various stakeholders with lived experiences to better understand real-world scenarios and challenges. Further, the Society recommended that medical professionals receive training on recognizing and combating bias in their clinical decision-making and is prepared to work with HHS  to refine the proposed regulations as they agency develops their final rule.

The Society’s response voiced its support for many proposed changes in the rule and, in many cases, pushed the agency to go further. This includes changes to improve access to websites and mobile apps, specific requirements to increase the accessibility of medical equipment, the maintenance of accessibility features, permitting the use of service animals, and allowing individuals with disabilities to use mobility devices in all public areas.