ProHealth Care, Inc., ADA Violation, Wisconsin 2023

Wisconsin health care system ProHealth Care, Inc. has agreed to settle allegations that it discriminated against patients with hearing impairments in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

According to U.S. Attorney Matthew D. Krueger, ProHealth Care, Inc. discriminated against patients with hearing impairments by failing to provide effective communication during treatment at Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital in February 2017. Specifically, ProHealth Care, Inc. failed to offer an American Sign Language interpreter, relying instead on a minor child to interpret for medical staff and the patients for approximately three hours during an emergency room visit.

The settlement agreement requires ProHealth Care, Inc. to pay $15,000 to Complainant No. 1 and $5,000 to Complainant No. 2.

ProHealth Care, Inc. has also reviewed and revised its policy on Communication with Persons with Hearing Impairments and will conduct additional training on the ADA’s effective communication requirements.

“The ADA is a vital law that protects the rights of individuals with disabilities,” said U.S. Attorney Krueger. “This settlement will help ensure that other individuals with disabilities receive the assistance they need to communicate well with their healthcare providers.”

This matter was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Michael A. Carter.

For more information on the ADA or this settlement, visit www.ada.gov. Individuals interested in finding out more about the ADA may also call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA information line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TDD). ADA complaints may be filed online at www.ada.gov/complaint/.