For Immediate Release: May 28th, 2019
Media Contact: Lora L. Tucker
Phone: 954-765-6024
Email: lora@lgbtcenters.org
New Proposal Could Limit LGBTQ Health Care Access
Ft. Lauderdale - On Friday May 24, 2019, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed a new regulation that if finalized, would severely threaten LGBTQ people’s access to all forms of health care.
The proposed regulation focuses on Section 1557 of the Health Care Rights Law, a part of the Affordable Care Act that bans gender discrimination. The proposal would erase all reference to protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, sex stereotyping, and gender identity. Section 1557 was created to ensure the LGBTQ community and other vulnerable populations have equal access to health insurance, health care, and comprehensive treatment.
LGBTQ people face disturbing rates of health care discrimination including harassment and denials of care, and often avoid doctor’s offices out of fear of discrimination. Lora Tucker, CenterLink CEO states, "LGBTQ community centers are already working to overcome health care barriers and stigmas within their communities. This atrocious policy will significantly increase the time centers spend helping individuals find alternative, LGBTQ-affirming care."
The proposed rule has not gone into effect yet. There will be a 60-day public comment period. Center Action Network urges you to submit a comment or share your story of discrimination in a health care setting. Click here to get started.
CenterLink develops strong, sustainable LGBT community centers and builds a thriving center network that creates healthy, vibrant communities. Founded in 1994, CenterLink plays an important role in addressing the challenges centers face by helping them to improve their organizational and service delivery capacity, access public resources, and engage their regional communities in the grassroots social justice movement. www.lgbtcenters.org.
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