LGBTQ Archives - America's Essential Hospitals

policy

Association Comments on Proposed ACA Nondiscrimination Protections

Oct. 3, 2022 || Andrea Lugo

America's Essential Hospitals urges HHS to codify a nondiscrimination standard and establish nondiscrimination training for all health care workers.

aca, disparities, health equity, lgbtq

policy

HHS Reinstates, Adds ACA Nondiscrimination Protections

Aug. 9, 2022 || Julie Kozminski

The proposed rule expands the definition of discrimination "on the basis of sex" and explicitly includes telehealth services in nondiscrimination policies.

aca, disparities, equity, health equity, hhs, lgbtq

policy

President Biden Signs Executive Order on LGBTQI+ Equality

June 20, 2022 || Maryellen Guinan

The order instructs the HHS Secretary to use the agency's authorities to protect LGBTQI+ individuals' access to medically necessary care.

health equity, hhs, lgbtq

state-action

LGBTQ Health Care Issues in State Legislatures

March 21, 2022 || Abigail Painchaud

At least 20 states are pursuing legislation to limit access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth, while some states have proposed legislation to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

state-action

Colo. Addresses Barriers to Care for LGBTQ Population

Oct. 14, 2021 || Abigail Painchaud

Colorado expanded its essential health benefit benchmark plan to enhance coverage for those seeking gender-affirming care, effective January 2023. This expansion is the first of its kind to be approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

equitable health care, equity, health equity, lgbtq

Essential Insights

Essential Hospitals Have Pride: Improving LGBTQ Care

June 18, 2021 || Staff

For 40 years, America’s Essential Hospitals and its members have championed care for underserved communities, including LGBTQ people. As we celebrate Pride Month, the association reflects on members’ efforts to improve care for this population and recent administration actions to support this goal.

equity, lgbtq

policy

HHS Will Enforce ACA’s Nondiscrimination Protections

May 17, 2021 || Abigail Painchaud

HHS will interpret and enforce the Affordable Care Act's prohibition on discrimination "on the basis of sex" to include sexual orientation and gender identity. The change comes in response to a Trump administration rule in June 2020 that removed protections for transgender and LGBTQ individuals.

aca, equity, hhs, lgbtq

state-action

States Pursue Transgender Health Legislation

April 6, 2021 || Abigail Painchaud

At least 29 bills in 17 states involve health services for patients who are transgender, and many of these efforts specifically focus on youth populations. Several states proposed restricting access to transgender health care, by prohibiting or criminalizing gender-affirming care.

alabama, arkansas, childrens health, equity, hawaii, health equity, kansas, lgbtq, missouri, montana, new hampshire, patient care, patient centered care models, texas, washington

policy

HHS Removes Protections for Gender Identity, Language Services

July 2, 2020 || Staff

HHS finalized a rule overhauling the ACA to remove some nondiscrimination protections for transgender individuals and requirements for treating people with limited English proficiency. In a statement, the association said the decision puts the health and safety of vulnerable populations at risk.

aca, disparities, equity, hhs, lgbtq

policy

Final Rule Removes Gender Identity, Language Access Protections

June 16, 2020 || Abigail Painchaud

The Department of Health and Human Services finalized a rule overhauling parts of the Affordable Care Act to remove nondiscrimination protections for transgender individuals and certain language access requirements for providing health care services to people with limited English proficiency.

aca, equity, hhs, lgbtq

Nondiscrimination Policy Change Jeopardizes Health and Health Care Access

June 15, 2020 || Staff

This policy change sets the nation back in its work to build greater equity in health care. Although no time would be right for this decision, it is especially harmful now, during the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency.

covid 19, lgbtq

policy

Federal Judge Vacates ACA Nondiscrimination Protections

Oct. 18, 2019 || Rachel Schwartz

The court struck down parts of the law that explicitly prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and termination of pregnancy.

aca, equity, lgbtq

state-action

States Split on Medicaid Coverage for Transgender Health Care

Aug. 13, 2019 || Kelcie Jimenez

Eight states prohibit Medicaid coverage for gender reassignment services, while 22 states have policies explicitly prohibiting gender-based discrimination in health care.

health equity, lgbtq, medicaid, social determinants of health

policy

Association Comments on Proposed Changes to ACA Nondiscrimination Protections

Aug. 12, 2019 || Rachel Schwartz

America’s Essential Hospitals expressed concern that changes to nondiscrimination protections will decrease access and worsen outcomes for vulnerable patients, including transgender individuals and individuals with limited English proficiency.

aca, association comment, cultural competency, equity, lgbtq

webinar

Improving Care for LGBTQ and Limited English Proficient Patients

Aug. 9, 2019 || Nicole Contrino

Hear how two essential hospitals launched initiatives to meet the needs of LGBTQ patients and improve care for patients with limited English proficiency.

cultural competency, lgbtq, natividad medical center, nyc health plus hospitals

Proposed Nondiscrimination Policy Changes Jeopardize Access to Care

May 24, 2019 || Staff

The administration's proposed rule, Nondiscrimination in Health and Health Education Programs or Activities, will worsen access to care and disparities for many of the nation's most vulnerable populations.

disparities, health disparities, lgbtq

Essential Insights

Fostering Inclusivity for Transgender Youth

Jan. 30, 2019 || Rachel Schwartz

Essential hospitals nationwide work to make their facilities more inclusive for all. The MetroHealth System, in Cleveland, launched its Pride and Kidz Pride clinics to offer an array of services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning patients of all ages.

equitable health care, equity, healthcare equality index, lgbtq, the metrohealth system

Essential Insights

Essential Hospitals Lead the Way in LGBTQ Care

Jan. 24, 2019 || Rachel Schwartz

Essential hospitals have long shown a commitment to care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning patients. The 2016 mass shooting at Pulse in Orlando spurred a concerted effort at Temple University Health System, in Philadelphia, to create a more inclusive environment.

equity, healthcare equality index, lgbtq, temple university health system

institute

Research Highlights Disparities for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Patients

July 12, 2016 || Janelle Schrag

Researchers found significant health disparities between gay men, bisexual men, and bisexual women, compared with men and women who identified as heterosexual.

equity, lgbtq, patient centered care models

webinar

Are you ready for Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity?

July 8, 2016 || Alana Mallory

Learn now this California hospital researched best practices for sexual orientation and gender identity data collection and used it to create a culture of inclusiveness.

ehr, equity, lgbtq, population health, socioeconomic status

institute

AHRQ Review Analyzes Strategies for Reducing Health Disparities

June 15, 2016 || Madeline White

The agency examined existing research on vulnerable populations to provide strategies for reducing health disparities.

disparities, equity, lgbtq

quality

HHS to Hold Online Forum on LGBT Health

March 30, 2016 || Matthew Buechner

As part of LGBT Awareness Week, March 28 to April 1, department seeks a public conversation on health issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities.

hhs, lgbtq, population health

policy

HHS Extends Nondiscrimination Provisions to Ensure Equity

Sept. 9, 2015 || Matthew Buechner

The proposed rule extends nondiscrimination provisions to individuals based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The proposed rule also includes requirements for access for people with disabilities and limited English proficiency.

equitable health care, equity, health care exchanges, lgbtq

policy

CMS Introduces Equity Strategy in Medicare

Sept. 9, 2015 || Matthew Buechner

The CMS Equity Plan aims to reduce disparities in health care over the next four years for populations including racial and ethnic minorities, sexual and gender minorities, people with disabilities, and people living in rural areas.

cms, equity, health disparities, lgbtq

quality