McLaren Health Care Corporation (McLaren) has agreed to enter into a settlement agreement with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan to resolve its investigation under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced Monday.
McLaren owns and operates multiple hospitals and outpatient health centres throughout the state of Michigan, including through its subsidiary, the Karmanos Cancer Institute.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office opened the investigation into McLaren after receiving complaints about providing auxiliary aids and services to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing at multiple facilities. McLaren fully cooperated with the U.S. Attorney’s Office throughout the investigation.
The settlement agreement requires McLaren to provide auxiliary aids and services free of charge to ensure effective communication with their patients and their companions, consistent with the ADA. Under the settlement terms, McLaren will provide a combined $220,000 in monetary relief to fourteen affected individuals.
McLaren will also review its policies and, as necessary, revise its policies to be consistent with the ADA’s requirements regarding effective communication and the terms of the settlement agreement. McLaren will enhance existing notices within their facilities to clearly alert patients and their companions of the availability of ASL interpreters or other auxiliary aids and services free of charge.
Furthermore, McLaren will contract additional vendors to provide virtual and in-person interpretive services as needed. McLaren will also train its staff on its updated policies and report any future complaints from individuals with disabilities to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
“It is critical that patients who are deaf or hard of hearing have the ability to communicate effectively with their health care providers,” U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison said. “McLaren and its staff provide medical services to individuals throughout Michigan, including many rural areas with limited access to care. Therefore, I am especially proud of this resolution and what it means for equal access to health care.”
