LGBT Health Reforms in Jeopardy

In a troubling article, The Bay Area Reporter reports that several provisions in the health-care reform bill passed by the House that would benefit LGBT people and families are likely to be stripped out of the final legislation.

1. The House bill would eliminate the tax penalty to gay employees who provide coverage for their spouses or partners under their employers' health insurance policies.
2. The House bill calls on the Department of Health and Human Services to address "health disparities" suffered by populations, including those based on "sexual orientation and gender identity."
3. Under the House version, people with HIV and low incomes would become eligible for federal assistance earlier in their illness.
4. Discrimination based on "personal characteristics" in the delivery of health care would be prohibited.

The Senate version of the health care bill contains none of these provisions.

The Defense of Marriage Act may be the law of the land, but these provisions would have a real, positive impact on LGBT people and families. It is essential that they remain part of any health care reform that land on President Obama's desk. Call and write your congressperson and senator and demand that they fight to keep these provisions in the final bill.