Health Reform for LGBT Americans
The Problem
The existing health care system fails the LGBT community on many levels. LGBT families often do not have access to employer-sponsored health insurance. When benefits are provided, families face tax burdens that their opposite-sex married colleagues do not. Health plans fail to cover treatments specially impacting LGBT people, such as infertility care for lesbians or services related to gender transition for transgender people. In the hospital environment, domestic partners are routinely refused visitation or left out of medical decision-making for their partner or their partner’s minor children. Additionally, the lack of data regarding the health status of LGBT people significantly hampers researchers seeking federal funding for LGBT health initiatives, particularly those to improve health outcomes.
Health Care Reform
During the 2008 election, reforming the nation’s health care system became a top-level issue. As members of Congress begin to develop and advance proposals, it is vital that they consider the needs of the LGBT community and incorporate initiatives to improve access and delivery of services to our community. HRC has identified a set of LGBT health reform objectives which we will advocate for. These objectives will also serve as a benchmark in evaluating legislative initiatives: During the 2008 election, reforming the nation’s health care system became a top-level issue. As members of Congress begin to develop and advance proposals, it is vital that they consider the needs of the LGBT community and incorporate initiatives to improve access and delivery of services to our community. HRC has identified a set of LGBT health reform objectives which we will advocate for. These objectives will also serve as a benchmark in evaluating legislative initiatives:
1. Affordable quality health care for all, with comprehensive benefits, including transition-related services;
2. Health care decision-making authority is vested in LGBT domestic partners, and they are able to be involved in the care of a sick partner or in the care of their minor children;
3. Employer-provided health benefits will be given equal tax treatment when provided to employees and their domestic partners;
4. Access to culturally competent health care providers is assured and competency training mandatory;
5. Electronic medical records and health information technology have safeguards to protect patients’ privacy;
6. Expand federally funded health surveys to include collection of data relating to LGBT populations;
7. Development and implementation of a cohesive, comprehensive national AIDS strategy;
8. Increase funding for HIV prevention and enhance and expand existing programs to meet the unique needs of the community.