ACLU Comment on Trump Administration Roll Back of Health Care Protections

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration’s Department of Health and Human Services issued a final rule today rolling back health care protections for transgender people, those seeking reproductive health care, people with limited English proficiency and limiting the nondiscrimination protections for everyone. The rule applies to Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, the Health Care Rights Law.

Louise Melling, deputy legal director with the American Civil Liberties Union, had the following reaction:

“While people are facing alarming rates of unemployment, a loss of health insurance, and a global pandemic, the Trump administration has rolled back rules meant to ensure people are not turned away from health care because of who they are or what language they speak. This is beyond heartless.”

“The Trump administration has made a mission out of putting politicians and religious beliefs above a patient’s health care. This is deadly and all of us should be outraged.”

For a summary of the ACLU’s comments on the rule when proposed: https://www.aclu.org/blog/lgbt-rights/transgender-rights/over-132400-opposed-trumps-anti-trans-health-care-plan

For an overview of cases involving transgender people being turned away from health care: https://www.aclu.org/issues/lgbt-rights/transgender-rights/transgender-people-and-health-care

For an overview of our cases involving reproductive health care: https://www.aclu.org/issues/reproductive-freedom