Nondiscrimination Under the Affordable Care Act

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) includes expansive consumer protections on nondiscrimination. Prior to the ACA, federal and state law included some nondiscrimination protections, but most have had only a limited effect in ensuring that coverage meets the needs of all consumers. Through its broad incorporation of new standards, the ACA is designed to address this gap by prohibiting discrimination based on health status, disability, age, race, gender, and sexual orientation, among other factors. Yet, there are significant questions about how new nondiscrimination requirements are being implemented in practice. This report explores how stakeholders are grappling with these new protections as insurers design and market new products, regulators review and approve products, and consumers look to obtain coverage that best meets their needs.

Read the report here.