Settlement with Aurora Health Care, Inc. Regarding Allegations of Violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act

Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced today that the United States has settled two claims that Aurora Health Care, Inc. (“Aurora”) discriminated against patients with human immunodeficiency virus (“HIV”) in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). Aurora operates a health care system that includes 15 hospitals, more than 150 medical clinics, an extensive laboratory system, and 70 pharmacies throughout eastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.

Title III of the ADA prohibits public accommodations, such as healthcare providers, from discriminating against people with disabilities, including HIV. The Government’s determination of the facts pertaining to both complaints are set forth in the attached Settlement Agreement.

Under the settlement agreement, Aurora will pay $30,000 to Complainant No. 1 and $15,000 to the spouse of Complainant No. 2. Aurora will also pay a civil penalty to the United States in the amount of $15,000. In addition, Aurora has reviewed and revised, as appropriate, its existing non-discrimination and infection disease policies (including those found on its main webpage). Aurora has conducted and will conduct additional training on the ADA, and report to the Government any alleged violations of the ADA along with a complete copy of Aurora’s response to the complaint.

For more information on the ADA, HIV discrimination, and this settlement, visit www.ada.gov/aids. Those interested in finding out more about the obligations of healthcare providers under the ADA may call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA information line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TDD), or access its ADA website at www.ada.gov. ADA complaints may be filed by email to ada.complaint@usdoj.gov.

# # # # #