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Statement of ACAP CEO Margaret A. Murray on HHS Rollback of Prohibitions on Discrimination in Health Care
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 15, 2020
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jeff Van Ness, (202) 204-7515, jvanness@communityplans.net
STATEMENT OF ACAP CEO MARGARET A. MURRAY ON HHS ROLLBACK OF PROHIBITIONS ON DISCRIMINATION IN HEALTH CARE
WASHINGTON– Margaret A. Murray, Chief Executive Officer of the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), made the following statement on revisions made by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to regulations made under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, which concerns non-discrimination in health care. The revisions finalized on Friday would do away with several antidiscrimination protections, most notably those pertaining to patients on the basis of gender identity.
“HHS should withdraw this ill-considered rule.
“This Administration’s revisions to Section 1557 were troubling under normal circumstances, promising to exacerbate inequities and endanger populations vulnerable to discrimination in health care.
“Just this morning, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that discrimination by employers on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity is, necessarily, discrimination on the basis of sex.
“The Court’s rationale must be extended to the health care system. Promoting access to coverage and health care is the best way to keep people healthy and is the wisest use of resources for government-sponsored programs—now and always.”
About ACAP:
ACAP represents 77 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.
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