Background

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that health care entities provide full and equal access to people with disabilities. However, results of previous studies have indicated that the ADA has been largely ineffective at creating systemic change in the delivery of health care.

Objective

The objective of this study was to examine the current barriers to health care access experienced by people with disabilities under Titles II and III of the ADA.

Methods

This study utilized a mixed methods multiphase design. In phase one, a survey and focus groups were conducted with individuals with disabilities who experienced barriers to health care access. In phase two, key informant interviews were conducted with individuals who had a role in ensuring equal access to health care for people with disabilities.

Results

In the current context of health care reform, people with disabilities continue to experience multiple barriers to health care access under Titles II and III of the ADA. However, a notable result is that several provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) have likely bolstered existing directives implementing requirements for health care access under the ADA.

Conclusions

The results of this study provide additional support for a comprehensive examination of both the national standards for accessible health care and the enforcement of laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability.

中文翻译：

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医疗保健可及性和美国残疾人法案：混合方法研究。

背景

美国残疾人法案 (ADA) 要求医疗保健实体为残疾人提供充分和平等的机会。然而，先前的研究结果表明，ADA 在很大程度上无法有效地为医疗服务提供系统性变革。

客观的

本研究的目的是检查残疾人在 ADA 标题 II 和 III 下获得医疗保健的当前障碍。

方法

本研究采用混合方法多相设计。在第一阶段，对在获得医疗保健方面遇到障碍的残疾人进行了一项调查和焦点小组。在第二阶段，对在确保残疾人平等获得医疗保健方面发挥作用的个人进行了关键知情人访谈。

结果

在当前医疗保健改革的背景下，残疾人在获得 ADA 标题 II 和 III 下的医疗保健服务方面继续面临多重障碍。然而，一个显着的结果是，患者保护和平价医疗法案 (ACA) 的几项条款可能支持了现有的指令，以实施 ADA 下的医疗保健准入要求。

结论

这项研究的结果为全面审查无障碍医疗保健的国家标准和禁止基于残疾的歧视的法律的执行提供了额外的支持。