Index for HR3962: Affordable Health Care for America Act

To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes.

Mr. Dingell (for himself, Mr. Rangel, Mr. Waxman, Mr. George Miller of California, Mr. Stark, Mr. Pallone, and Mr. Andrews) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and Labor, Oversight and Government Reform, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

Title V of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 791 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end of the following:

“(a) Standards.—Not later than 9 months after the date of enactment of the Affordable Health Care for America Act, the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) shall issue guidelines setting forth the minimum technical criteria for new medical diagnostic equipment to be purchased for use in (or in conjunction with) physician’s offices, clinics, emergency rooms, hospitals, and other medical settings. The guidelines shall ensure that such equipment is accessible to, and usable by, individuals with disabilities, including provisions to ensure independent entry to, use of, and exit from the equipment by such individuals to the maximum extent possible.

“(b) Medical diagnostic equipment covered.—The guidelines issued under subsection (a) for medical diagnostic equipment shall apply to new purchases of equipment that includes examination tables, examination chairs (including chairs used for eye examinations or procedures, and dental examinations or procedures), weight scales, mammography equipment, x-ray machines, and other equipment commonly used for diagnostic or examination purposes by health professionals.

“(c) Regulations.—Not later than 6 months after the date of the issuance of the guidelines under subsection (a), each appropriate Federal agency authorized to promulgate regulations under this Act or under the Americans with Disabilities Act shall—

“(1) prescribe regulations in an accessible format as necessary to carry out the provisions of such Act and section 504 of this Act that include accessibility standards that are consistent with the guidelines issued under subsection (a); and

“(2) ensure that health care providers and health care plans covered by the Affordable Health Care for America Act meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and section 504, including provisions ensuring that individuals with disabilities receive equal access to all aspects of the health care delivery system.

“(d) Review and amend.—The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) shall periodically review and, as appropriate, amend the guidelines as prescribed under subsection (a). Not later than 6 months after the date of the issuance of such revised guidelines, revised regulations consistent with such guidelines shall be promulgated in an accessible format by the appropriate Federal agencies described in subsection (c).”.