Safety-Net Health Plans Applaud Biden Administration for Non-Discrimination Action
Following the May 10 announcement by the Biden Administration that it was reversing the Trump Administration’s previous policy regarding access to healthcare, and reinforcing civil rights protections based on both sexual orientation and gender identity, making explicit the administration’s determination to protect LGBTQ Americans from discrimination in the healthcare sphere, the CEO of the national association of safety-net health plans spoke out in support of that action.
The press release posted on May 12 by the Association of Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), the Washington, D.C.-based association representing Americans covered by safety-net health plans, began thus: “Margaret A. Murray, Chief Executive Officer of the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), released the following statement on the Biden Administration’s reversal of changes made to Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act that allowed for discrimination based on gender identity. ACAP applauds Secretary Becerra and HHS for righting a wrong that promised to restrict access to care,” Murray’s statement began.
“Many members of the LGBT community face emotional and logistical challenges to securing continuous care and finding providers they can trust,” she continued. “The nondiscrimination provisions, as amended by the previous administration, threatened to aggravate those barriers, even before the COVID-19 pandemic further jeopardized access to care. The changed rule authorized the denial of medical care — including testing and treatment for COVID-19 — to some populations at greatest risk from this deadly virus, all but guaranteeing to exacerbate existing health disparities. ACAP stands firmly against discrimination of any kind in health care. We’re glad to see these changes reversed and ready to work with HHS and the Administration to ensure everyone has access to affordable, top-notch health coverage.”
As noted on its website, “ACAP represents 78 health plans, which collectively provide health coverage to more than 20 million people. Safety Net Health Plans serve their members through Medicaid, Medicare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the Marketplace and other publicly-sponsored health programs. For more information, visit www.communityplans.net.”
