Section 1557 (ACA)

Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act is the federal civil-rights provision prohibiting discrimination in health programs and activities that receive federal funding. It covers discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, and disability. It is the legal anchor for the requirement that covered entities provide language access and culturally appropriate communication.

For Black patients, Section 1557 is one of the legal levers for challenging discriminatory treatment in hospitals, clinics, and insurers receiving federal money (which includes Medicare, Medicaid, and ACA marketplace plans). Enforcement scope has shifted across administrations but the statute remains in force.