Statement from Henry Ng, GLMA President:

"Earlier today, the Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services issued proposed regulations that make clear that prohibitions on sex discrimination included in Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act are inclusive of gender identity, gender expression and sex stereotyping. The proposed rule further states that sex-specific healthcare may not be denied based on a patient’s transgender identity and categorical exclusions for transition-related care are ‘facially discriminatory.’ 

“This is a monumental step by the agency to ensure transgender individuals receive the healthcare they need and deserve and GLMA applauds HHS, the Office of Civil Rights and HHS’s entire leadership for their efforts. Transgender people face enormous barriers in accessing healthcare and the proposed rule goes a long way toward eliminating them. We look forward to working with our LGBT colleague organizations and HHS to ensure Section 1557 provides the strongest nondiscrimination protections possible for the entire LGBT community."