Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-102
§18114 Access to Therapies
Title 42 › CHAPTER 157 — QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE FOR ALL AMERICANS › SUBCHAPTER VI — MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS › § 18114
Summary
The Secretary of Health and Human Services cannot make rules that create unreasonable barriers to getting proper medical care or that slow down access to services. They also cannot block full talks between patients and providers, stop providers from sharing all relevant information, violate informed consent or professional ethics, or cut off treatment before a patient no longer needs it.
Full Legal Text
Title 42, §18114
The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall not promulgate any regulation that—
(1)creates any unreasonable barriers to the ability of individuals to obtain appropriate medical care;
(2)impedes timely access to health care services;
(3)interferes with communications regarding a full range of treatment options between the patient and the provider;
(4)restricts the ability of health care providers to provide full disclosure of all relevant information to patients making health care decisions;
(5)violates the principles of informed consent and the ethical standards of health care professionals; or
(6)limits the availability of health care treatment for the full duration of a patient’s medical needs.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This Act, referred to in text, is Pub. L. 111–148, Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 119, known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title
note set out under section 18001 of this title and Tables.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
42 U.S.C. § 18114
Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102