Transgender Flag.Photo: getty images
The Department of Health and Human Servicesannouncedit was reversing a decision underDonald Trumpthat had excluded transgender people from protections against sex discrimination while receiving healthcare.
About 1.4 million Americans publicly identify as transgender,accordingto the Williams Institute at UCLA.
Alphonso David, president of the Human Rights Campaign,saidthe reversal “will have a lasting impact on our community, particularly for transgender and non-binary people, across the country.”
Delaware state Sen.Sarah McBride— who in November became the highest-ranking elected transgender official in U.S. history —calledit “welcome news at such a critical time.”
In announcing the policy change, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra pointed to asix-to-three Supreme Court decisionlast year that ruled people who are transgender are included under federal laws against sex discrimination in the workplace.
Joe Biden.ERIC BARADAT/AFP via Getty Images
“The Supreme Court has made clear that people have a right not to be discriminated against on the basis of sex and receive equal treatment under the law, no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation. That’s why today HHS announced it will act on related reports of discrimination,” Becerra, 63, said.
“Fear of discrimination can lead individuals to forgo care, which can have serious negative health consequences,” Becerra added. “It is the position of the Department of Health and Human Services that everyone — including LGBTQ people — should be able to access health care, free from discrimination or interference, period.”
Biden, 78, previouslyreversed a Trump-era banon transgender people serving in the military.
source: people.com
