Language Services
DHS will take reasonable steps to ensure that persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) have meaningful access and an equal opportunity to participate in our services, activities, programs and other benefits at NO Cost. Language assistance will be provided free of charge through our contractual language service providers including translation and telephonic interpretation services.
Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Section 1557 is the nondiscrimination provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The law prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in certain health programs or activities. Section 1557 builds on long-standing and familiar Federal civil rights laws: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975. Section 1557 extends nondiscrimination protections to individuals participating in:
- Any health program or activity any part of which received funding from HHS
- Any health program or activity that HHS itself administers
- Health Insurance Marketplaces and all plans offered by issuers that participate in those Marketplaces.
- Section 1557 has been in effect since its enactment in 2010 and the HHS Office for Civil Rights has been enforcing the provision since it was enacted. If you believe you have been discriminated against on one of the bases protected by Section 1557, you may file a complaint with OCR.
Supporting Documents
Complaint Filing Addresses
Department of Human Services
Bureau of Equal Opportunity
Room 223-225 Health & Welfare Building
P.O. Box 2675
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105
Phone: (717) 787-1127
FAX: (717) 772-4366
TDD: (717) 705-7772
(within 90 days of incident)
Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission
Regional Offices
Piatt Place
301 Fifth Avenue, 3rd Floor
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
Phone (412) 565-5395
River Front Office Center
1101-1125 South Front Street/5th Floor
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110-2123
Phone (717) 787-9780
711 State Office Building
1400 Spring Garden Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19130
Phone (215) 560-2496