The Marketplace is Open: Continuing Our Progress for the LGBT community

The Marketplace is Open: Continuing Our Progress for the LGBT community

December 10, 2015

By: Rhett Buttle, Director, Private Sector Engagement

I am proud to serve in the Obama Administration because of the work the President, the Secretary, and this Administration have done, and will continue to do, to create a more fair country for individuals from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. Together, with the help of many, we’ve created meaningful change, especially in health care. Thanks to protections provided by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), your gender and who you love are no longer preexisting conditions. Insurance companies can no longer deny health coverage or charge higher premiums based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Every American should be able to see their loved ones when they are sick. We were able to take steps to guarantee visitation rights for LGBT patients and ensure medical decision-making rights of LGBT patients are upheld at institutions receiving Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement.  These are just some examples of our commitment, but many more can be found in the recently released annual report detailing the developments we have made this year and goals set for the final year of the Obama Administration to further protect the health and wellbeing of the LGBT community.
Despite our progress, work remains. Making sure the LGBT community has access to quality; affordable health insurance is a critical priority for this Administration. This is why we launched an LGBT Week of Action to raise awareness about enrollment under the ACA.  We are proud to continue working in closepartnership with local, regional and national groups to help make sure this community is getting the education and resources they need to make the best decision towards managing their health and wellness.    

READ MORE: The Marketplace is Open: Continuing Our Progress for the LGBT community