Lambda Legal Optimistic That HHS Policy Changes Can Improve Services to LGBT People

(New York, April 4, 2011)—The Department of Health and Human Services today announced a series of current and future actions to "improve the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities."

The announcement, timed to coincide with the 9th Annual LGBT Health Awareness Week, stated that "For too long, LGBT people have been denied the compassionate services they deserve. That is now changing….Safeguarding the health and well-being of all Americans requires a commitment to treating all people with respect while being sensitive to their differences."

The policies include an explicit prohibition against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in HHS employment and the administration of HHS programs; informing states that they have the legal authority to extend parity to same-sex domestic partners with respect to human services benefit programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, child care, and "spousal impoverishment" protections for couples where one member of the couple is eligible for Medicaid; increasing the number of federally funded health surveys that collect sexual orientation and gender identity data; improved services and funding to remove barriers facing LGBT foster and adoptive parents; and encouraging health profession training programs to include LGBT cultural competency curricula.

These recommendations were made in response to a memo issued by President Obama last April directing HHS to issue new rules governing hospital visitation for LGBT families (which took effect in January) and to offer other recommendations for improving health care for LGBT people and their families. HHS officials are confident the President will accept today's recommendations.

In response to the announcement, Leslie Gabel-Brett, Director of Education and Public Affairs made the following statement:

"When awareness of inequality leads to action, people's lives can be improved. We are grateful to President Obama for recognizing that LGBT people too often face discrimination when seeking services and care, and to Secretary Sebelius and her team at HHS for taking these important steps forward. All of us deserve compassion when we are sick or need assistance, and we expect the government to treat us with fairness and dignity. We believe the significant policies announced today will improve the health and well-being of LGBT people.

"We will continue to work with policy-makers at all levels to see that these and other changes are successfully implemented. The new guidance regarding equal treatment for same-sex couples in legally recognized relationships will allow states to adopt rules, but we need to make sure that states actually make such changes and do the right thing. We applaud HHS for making it clear that discrimination on the basis of gender identity is prohibited both in employment and in the provision of services. We will continue to seek full coverage for medical care for transgender people under Medicaid and other insurance programs. The actions taken by Secretary Sebelius and the leaders of HHS have strengthened the partnership with the LGBT community so that we can continue to work together to eliminate discrimination. It's a wonderful way to celebrate LGBT Health Awareness Week."

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