Category Archives: medical discrimination

Will Our “SOFA Scores” Become Self-Fulfilling Prophecies?

I first wrote on March 17th about my fear that the non-invasive ventilator I use everyday might be taken from me if I sought hospital care during this pandemic. The New York “Ventilator Allocation Guidelines”, developed in 2015 to address shortages in a pandemic, specifically state at page 42: In its consideration to protect vulnerable … Continue reading Will Our “SOFA Scores” Become Self-Fulfilling Prophecies?

As the Threat of Triage Grows, Disability Rights Advocacy Is Needed More Than Ever

On Friday, April 3rd, six leading disability rights attorneys and their respective organizations issued a statement entitled Applying HHS’s Guidance for States and Health Care Providers on Avoiding Disability-Based Discrimination in Treatment Rationing. The statement, which helps to interpret the federal bulletin issued a week earlier, was joined by over 90 organizations, including NDY. One … Continue reading As the Threat of Triage Grows, Disability Rights Advocacy Is Needed More Than Ever

United Spinal Assn. Helped Fight A Futility Judgment And Won!

The hospital may not have called it a “futility judgment” when they pushed Chris Dunn to go into hospice as an alternative to spinal cord injury rehabilitation, but it’s hard to see it any other way. Here’s an extended excerpt from United Spinal Association’s New Mobility article “Refusing To Die: The Chris Dunn Story“: By … Continue reading United Spinal Assn. Helped Fight A Futility Judgment And Won!

Federal study finds QALYs restrict access to lifesaving healthcare for people with disabilities

The National Council on Disability issued the following release on November 6, announcing the latest report in its bioethics series. Federal study finds certain health care cost-effectiveness measures discriminate, restrict access to lifesaving treatments for people with disabilities For Immediate Release                              … Continue reading Federal study finds QALYs restrict access to lifesaving healthcare for people with disabilities

Health Justice Commons Launches Medical Abuse Hotline In Honor of Carrie Ann Lucas

The following are excerpts from an announcement by Health Justice Commons of a new Medical Abuse Hotline to honor Carrie Ann’s legacy and support our communities. “On February 24th, 2019, Carrie Ann Lucas, a beloved and renowned disability rights attorney and trailblazer who innovated representation for parents with disabilities, died after being denied a $2,000 … Continue reading Health Justice Commons Launches Medical Abuse Hotline In Honor of Carrie Ann Lucas