Confirmed: LGBT People Protected from Discrimination in Health Insurance and Care

May 13, 2016

Equality Federation joined the chorus of LGBTQ advocates and health care professionals in praising the Obama Administration for finalizing a rule in the Affordable Care Act that bans discrimination in health insurance and health care.

In a press release, HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell said, “A central goal of the Affordable Care Act is to help all Americans access quality, affordable health care.  Today’s announcement is a key step toward realizing equity within our health care system and reaffirms this Administration’s commitment to giving every American access to the health care they deserve.”

Equality Federation board member and Senior Fellow with the LGBT Research and Communications Project at American Progress (CAP), said, “The bottom line is that this rule protects LGBTQ people nationwide from discrimination in health insurance coverage and health care. Anyone who experiences discrimination because of who they are as an LGBTQ person—including a health insurance plan that doesn’t cover transition-related care—should file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.”

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