Published July, 2013

Surgeon Who Discriminated Against HIV Positive Patient Loses Federal Funding, Press Release, Dep't of Health and Human Services, Office of Civil Rights (July 18, 2013)

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the termination of Medicaid funding to Winston C. San Agustin, a California surgeon who intentionally discriminated against an HIV-positive patient by refusing to perform the back surgery San Agustin had told the patient was necessary before learning his HIV status.

The announcement comes nearly one year after the HHS Appeals Board concluded that Dr. San Agustin had violated the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by federal agencies, contractors and recipients of federal funding.

Click here to read the August 2012 HHS Appeals Board Decision.