Lowey Introduces Legislation to Improve Health Care for Individuals with Disabilities

Today, the 17th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland) introduced legislation to make health care more accessible for people with disabilities. 

 

“On the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is important to ensure that people with disabilities have the same access to health care as every other American,” Lowey said. “Since the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed, we have made great strides to provide disabled Americans with access to services, public places, and employment opportunities they were unfairly denied. Now, it’s time to go one important step further and ensure access to adequate medical care for those with disabilities.”

 

In 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that more than 37 percent of individuals with disabilities, both physical and intellectual, have fair or poor health compared to 8.2 percent of individuals without disabilities. This is due, in part, to the significant barriers that individuals with disabilities face when trying to access medical services. Physician’s offices rarely have equipment such as examining tables, weight scales, and mammography machines that are accessible to people with disabilities, and doctors sometimes lack the training necessary to address the unique needs of individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities.

 

Lowey’s bill, The Promoting Wellness for Individuals with Disabilities Act, would require the U.S. Access Board to establish accessibility standards for medical equipment including examination tables and chairs, weight scales, mammography equipment, and x-ray machines; establish a national wellness grant program that focuses on the unique challenges faced by individuals with disabilities; and improve education and training of physicians and dentists by requiring that medical schools, dental schools, and their residency programs provide training to improve competency and clinical skills in providing care to patients with disabilities.

 

"Despite the passage of the ADA 17 years ago, there remain barriers for people with disabilities to accessing the health care services available to the temporarily able bodied population,” said Melvin Tanzman, Executive Director of Westchester Disabled on the Move. “We are pleased that Congresswoman Lowey is proposing the Promoting Wellness for Individuals with Disabilities Act. to address critical issues for health care consumers with disabilities that will allow them to receive the same or equivalent services from their physicians. In addition this legislation will assure the availability of health promotion and prevention programs that truly address the unique needs and concerns of people with disabilities.”