Effective October 8, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice required state and local government entities — including public hospitals, clinics, and health care systems — to make their services, programs and activities available through medical diagnostic equipment (“MDE”) accessible to people with disabilities. The Department of Health and Human Services adopted and extended the DOJ’s MDE requirements to cover any entity that receives federal funding from HHS.
If providers have not leased or purchased new MDE since 2024, they need to be aware of upcoming deadlines. By July 8, or by August 9, 2026 for state and local government entities, health care providers must do the following:
- Providers that use exam tables must have at least one exam table that meets the MDE accessibility standards. The specific standards can be found at: eCFR :: 36 CFR Part 1195 — Standards for Accessible Medical Diagnostic Equipment.
- Providers that use weight scales must have at least one weight scale that meets the MDE accessibility standards. The specific standards can be found at the link above.
- Practices cannot deny health care services to a patient with a disability due to lack of accessible MDE.
- Staff must be trained to operate the accessible MDE and must assist patients with disabilities in using the equipment, including transferring to and being positioned properly on the MDE.
- MDE must be located where it is readily accessible and usable by patients with disabilities. Equipment should not be located where it may delay or hinder access to care.
HHS has published additional information that can be found at: New Requirements for Accessible Medical Diagnostic Equipment.
