House votes to eliminate federal health metrics that devalue people with disabilities
The House of Representatives Votes to Protect Individuals with Disabilities
The House of Representatives made a significant decision on Wednesday, sending a powerful message to our nation’s most vulnerable citizens. They considered a crucial bill that would put an end to the federal government’s use of a discriminatory metric that devalues individuals with disabilities.
As a mother of a daughter with special needs, I am immensely grateful that the House passed this vital legislation. Now, I eagerly await the Senate’s action, hoping they will follow suit without delay.
The bill in question is H.R. 485, known as the Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act. This legislation aims to prohibit all federal health programs from using the Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY) metric, or any similar measure, to determine the cost or coverage of health care treatments.
The QALY cost-effectiveness metric unfairly values an additional year of life for a person with disabilities as less valuable than an additional year for someone in “normal” health. This discriminatory practice harms some of the most vulnerable members of our society. The National Council on Disability, on which I have served, published a report indicating that “QALY-based programs have been found to violate the Americans with Disabilities Act.”
Shockingly, many countries, including Britain’s National Health Service (NHS), utilize the QALY metric to determine the cost-effectiveness of treatments. Consequently, the NHS often refuses to cover effective therapies, deeming them too “costly” for the government. This form of rationing, based on cost rather than patient need, disproportionately affects individuals with disabilities, as the QALY metric devalues their continued survival.
Unfortunately, this neglect of those with the greatest needs is not limited to other countries. Several U.S. states and the Veterans Administration have started using cost-effectiveness research published by the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review, some of which resembles the QALY metric. Even the National Institutes of Health, by proposing the removal of the words “lengthen life” from its goals, have sent a potentially harmful message to individuals with disabilities, as highlighted in a bipartisan letter from senators.
By passing H.R. 485, Congress would take a significant step towards correcting this message and protecting the most vulnerable members of our society. This legislation would build upon prior measures that restricted the use of the QALY metric.
In 2010, Congress and President Obama prohibited the secretary of health and human services from using QALYs “to determine coverage, reimbursement, or incentive programs under” Medicare. H.R. 485 would extend these crucial protections to programs like Medicaid, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, and coverage for federal workers.
At a time when some states and even countries like Canada advocate for expansions of physician-assisted suicide, it is imperative that our country takes special efforts to stand up for the value of all human life, regardless of their perceived health or usefulness.
I commend Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., who, like me, is the mother of a special needs child, for introducing this important legislation. Now, I urge Congress to swiftly send it to the White House, and I hope President Biden will sign it into law.
Mary Vought (@MaryVought) is the Founder of Vought Strategies and President of Women for America.
How does the passage of H.R. 485 align with the principles of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and ensure equal access to healthcare for individuals with disabilities
Metric. This puts individuals with disabilities at risk of being denied access to necessary treatments and care based on a discriminatory measurement.
The passage of H.R. 485 by the House of Representatives is a significant step towards rectifying this injustice. The bill, championed by Representative Rob Woodall, aims to protect individuals with disabilities by ensuring that federal health programs do not use metrics like QALY to determine the cost or coverage of health care treatments.
By eliminating the use of the QALY metric, this legislation will ensure that individuals with disabilities are not deemed less valuable or deserving of life-saving treatments. It affirms the principle that every life is equally valuable, regardless of ability or health status. It is a clear message that discrimination against individuals with disabilities will not be tolerated in our healthcare system.
The passage of this bill also aligns with the values enshrined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA mandates equal treatment and protection for individuals with disabilities, including in the provision of healthcare services. By prohibiting the use of discriminatory metrics in healthcare decision-making, H.R. 485 reinforces the principles of the ADA and ensures that individuals with disabilities are not denied access to necessary care.
The Senate now has the opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to protecting individuals with disabilities by passing H.R. 485. It is imperative that they act swiftly and decisively to ensure that this vital legislation becomes law. Individuals with disabilities have long been marginalized and underserved in our society, and it is time for our lawmakers to stand up for their rights and well-being.
As a mother of a daughter with special needs, I implore the Senate to prioritize the passage of this legislation. Our nation’s most vulnerable citizens should not be subject to discriminatory practices that devalue their lives. It is our duty as a society to ensure that every individual, regardless of ability, has equal access to healthcare and is treated with dignity and respect.
In conclusion, the House of Representatives has taken a significant step towards protecting individuals with disabilities by passing H.R. 485. This legislation, which aims to eliminate the use of discriminatory metrics in healthcare decision-making, sends a powerful message that every life is equally valuable. It is now up to the Senate to follow suit and ensure that individuals with disabilities are protected and afforded the same opportunities for health and well-being as their able-bodied counterparts.
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