Michigan OB-GYN practice resolves federal complaint over alleged refusal to provide sign language interpreter

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights and U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan have resolved an alleged federal civil rights complaint against Dearborn Obstetrics and Gynecology in Dearborn, Mich.

The complaint alleged Dearborn OB-GYN refused repeated requests to provide a sign language interpreter for a deaf patient during a preoperative appointment, according to a March 23 news release. The complainant also alleged the practice terminated her as a patient after providing documentation showing her requests for an interpreter.

The complaint was resolved through an agreement with HHS and the U.S. Attorney's Office and requires the practice to develop policies and practices to ensure the availability of auxiliary aids and services, in addition to policies ensuring non-discrimination and non-retaliation. 

The agreement also requires Dearborn OB-GYN to undergo 18 months of monitoring by OCR and the Justice Department and to pay the impacted patient compensatory relief under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

In addition, Dearborn OB-GYN will be required to train its staff on effective communication with patients and other individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

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