HHS offers protection against sexual orientation discrimination through ACA

People must be treated consistent with their gender identity and cannot be denied based on sex stereotyping, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Office for Civil Rights.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people cannot be denied care that is provided to anyone with regard to healthcare and insurance, else even when that care is transition related, under Section 1557 provisions of the Affordable Care Act.

“Access to healthcare should never be denied because of your sexual orientation or gender identity,” says Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign, in a press release. “LGBT people have too often faced healthcare systems that provide inequitable and hostile treatment. This new and important regulation will address many of these disparities and is critical to help end discrimination against transgender and gender nonconforming people in healthcare and insurance.”

The Human Rights Campaign, America’s largest civil rights organization, delivered more than 13,000 public comments in support of the proposed rule change in November. 

Nicole Stempak

Nicole was Senior Editor at I Advance Senior Care and Long Term Living Magazine 2015-2017. She has a Journalism degree from Kent State University and is finalizing a master’s degree in Information Architecture and Management. She has extensive studies in the digital user experience and in branding online media. She has worked as an editor and writer for various B2B publications, including Business Finance.