As medical systems plan for a possible flood of COVID-19 patients, healthcare professionals in the United States may draft guidance to ration care in order to ensure the largest number of people will survive the pandemic. However, LuMind IDSC has read reports of at least two cases from Alabama and Washington State where the guidance could limit access to needed care for people with disabilities, including those with Down syndrome, in violation of non-discrimination laws. Several organizations, led by the Arc and The Center for Public Representation, recently filed complaints with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR) (see links below).
LuMind IDSC is coordinating with other leading Down syndrome organizations to prevent discrimination in the provision of care and treatments for people with Down syndrome.
– Please go to the National Down Syndrome Society link to learn more about how you can report potential discrimination if you or someone you know with Down syndrome or other disabilities has had acute healthcare services or equipment denied or withdrawn, or been given a lower priority for treatment, due to scarce COVID-19 resources.
– Please also refer to the following efforts by the National Down Syndrome Congress Policy and Advocacy on and around this important issue: https://www.facebook.com/pg/dsadvocates/posts/
In these challenging times, LuMind IDSC is supporting efforts to ensure that all people are treated fairly and equitably, including people with Down syndrome, and no one loses their human rights because of the COVID-19 healthcare crisis.
Best regards,
Hampus Hillerstrom
President & CEO, LuMind IDSC Foundation