By John Mack Freeman
The Department of Health and Human Services released a proposed rule this week that would prohibit anti-trans bias in healthcare in the United States. Via Washington Blade:
Health & Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell said in a statement the proposed rule seeks to protect individuals “who have often been subject to discrimination in our health care system.”
“This is another example of this administration’s commitment to giving every American access to the health care they deserve,” she said. LGBT advocates hailed the proposed change as a major breakthrough for transgender health and said it would require plans to cover medications, gender reassignment surgeries and other treatments for transgender people if these plans cover similar services to non-transgender people with other medical conditions.
The ruling will cover plans offered through the healthcare exchanges set up by the Affordable Care Act as well as any healthcare provider that accepts federal money. The rule has been set for public comment, particularly in the area of whether religious organizations will be exempt from the new rule.
