The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a warning to Children's Medical Center of Dallas and UT Southwestern, stating they cannot deny life-saving treatment to a newborn infant based on a disability. The infant, identified as Gabriel, has a heart defect.
HHS's Office for Civil Rights sent a notice to the Texas hospitals on April 19, reminding them that federal law prohibits discrimination based on disability. The warning follows reports that the hospitals intended to withdraw life-saving care for Gabriel due to his congenital heart defect.
The department emphasized that under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, healthcare providers receiving federal funding cannot withhold necessary medical treatment from individuals with disabilities.
HHS has indicated that it will monitor the situation closely to ensure the hospital complies with federal anti-discrimination laws and provides Gabriel with the care he needs. The agency stated its commitment to protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities and ensuring they receive appropriate medical attention.