BEDSIDE MANNERS

Dep’t Of Health & Human Services Says Health-Care Discrimination Law Covers LGBT Patients

A 2010 law enacted to prohibit sex discrimination in health care applies to LGBT patients, according to a statement today from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The announcement was made after the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE), asked for a clarification as to how the LGBT community was being treated under existing protections cited in the Affordable Care Act, which references the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975.

Leon Rodriguez, Director of the HHS Office for Civil Rights explained:

“We agree that Section 1557’s sex discrimination prohibition extends to claims of discrimination based on gender identity or failure to conform to stereotypical notions of masculinity or femininity and will accept such complaints for investigation.

Section 1557 also prohibits sexual harassment and discrimination regardless of the actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity of the individuals involved.

Well, that’s one less headache you have to worry about when you go to the doctor’s.

Source: LGBTQ Nation, Photo: Jared Rodriguez /Truthout

Don't forget to share:

Help make sure LGBTQ+ stories are being told...

We can't rely on mainstream media to tell our stories. That's why we don't lock Queerty articles behind a paywall. Will you support our mission with a contribution today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated