Wheelchair users often face barriers to receiving medical care, including exam tables that are too high to transfer onto and scales that cannot accommodate wheelchairs. Other medical equipment, such as exam chairs, mammography equipment and X-ray machines, can also be inaccessible.
A new U.S. Department of Health and Human Services rule that took effect July 8 aims to address those barriers by requiring health care providers that receive federal funding to provide accessible exam tables and weight scales, with staff trained to use the equipment and assist patients when needed. A similar Justice Department requirement for state and local government facilities took effect August 9.
As providers purchase new equipment, at least 10 percent of each type must eventually be accessible, increasing to 20 percent for rehabilitation, physical therapy and other facilities specializing in mobility-related care.
“For too long, people with disabilities have been unable to access critical healthcare services due to the inaccessibility of medical equipment, causing worse health outcomes like higher rates of preventable disease and shorter lifespans,” said Alison Barkoff, a George Washington University professor and former federal disability official. “These requirements are critical in addressing the health disparities that too many people with disabilities face.”
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