URMC Leaders Call on HHS to Rescind Rule That Discriminates Against Trans Patients
In a letter to Alex M. Azar II, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), top leaders of the University of Rochester Medical Center urged HHS to rescind a rule that eliminates non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ individuals under the Affordable Care Act.
“The University of Rochester Medical Center strenuously objected to this rule change when proposed,” states the letter, which is signed by Mark B. Taubman, M.D., CEO of URMC and Dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry, along with David R. Lambert, M.D., Senior Associate Dean for Medical Student Education at the school. “It will decrease health care access and use for the LGBTQ community, especially transgender and gender diverse individuals.”
The letter also notes that the rule change took effect three days before the Supreme Court ruled that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 provides specific protections for gay, lesbian, and transgender employees.
“Surely the Court would similarly agree that no one should fear being turned away by a medical provider because of who they are, who they love, or the personal health decisions they have made,” the letter says. “Rather than wait for this decision to be challenged through the legal process, HHS can affirm dedication to its mission by simply rescinding the rule.”
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