I wanted to get more information because I'm still unsure about the legislation. I'm not as hyped about the ACA as Democrats are, but I'm also not as pissed about it as Republicans are. This was a presentation that addressed issues important to me. I won't speak as much in this article about the legislation itself. Suffice to say, it is the law. And while it is the law, I encourage LGBT people to check out the website out2enroll.org. Here's why.
The issue that stood out for me invloved coverage disparity, as noted in a chart in the presentation given by Kellan Baker, MPH, MA, Associate Director of LGBT Research and Communications Projcect at the Center for American Progress. The chart* shows the current sources of coverage for LGBT people in the U.S. with 34% of LGBT Americans having no insurance at all. 29% have employer provided insurance. Baker pointed to the known issues preventing LGBT people from receiving coverage, such as the inability to cover a partner in a state that does not recognize same-sex relationships. The low rate of LGBTs with employer provided coverage points to the over 30 states where private companies can make hiring and firing decisions based on sexual orientation. [edit: the number of states that do not include LGBT protection at state level is now 29, down since the previous time I checked]
This lack of coverage is especially problematic for a community with high rates of smoking and substance use, cancers, violence and abuse, HIV/AIDS. Then there is the wide range of mental health issues; coming out, rejection by family and others, bullying, high rates of suicide, and homelessness.
My conservative leanings say that these issues need to be addressed more directly, and there are efforts in many of those areas. Milwaukee's LGBT Community Center has a program to help people quit smoking, as well as an Anti Violence Project (AVP) The AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin is one of many organizations fighting the epidemic through education, prevention, and treatment. Trevor Project and Dan Savage's "It Gets Better" campaign are reaching out to help LGBT youth who may be considering suicide. One day after this presentation, Illinois became the 15th state to recognize same-sex marriage.
However, these changes are coming slowly, and there are people who need access to healthcare now. With the Supreme Court Decision striking down DOMA, the ACA can extend coverage to partners married in a state where same sex marriage is legal, even if they currently reside in a state that doesn't. Prior to ACA, insurers could exclude coverage in areas of vital importance to the lives of LGBT people. We still need to address the root issues, but making those changes will take time that many people don't have. As Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius said at the White House launch of Out2Enroll, "The Affordable Care Act may represent the strongest foundation we have ever created to begin closing LGBT health disparities." After hearing the presentations on Monday, I agree. And it's the foundation we need right away, not later.
A final note. Kellan Baker from the Center for American Progress, Matt Hinz from HHS, covered the statistical and informational aspects of the program. During the afternoon session, a trans woman named JoLee (sp) talked about her experiences with the insurance and medical professions as they currently are. While she spoke with good humor, she seemed to me the quiet type; someone who wouldn't normally get up and talk to a group if she hadn't really been pushed to the breaking point by her experiences. I won't share the details, they are hers to share. But hearing the struggles she went through, the rude treatment by doctors and health professionals, put a very strong feeling argument to this issue. I applaud her courage in speaking on Monday, and am grateful to have been there.
* Chart presented represents LGBT people with annual income under 400% of FPL. Source: Center for American Progress
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