NCTE Releases Trans “Know Your Rights” Health Care Guide, Celebrates LGBT Health Awareness Week

Keisling on the Affordable Care Act Supreme Court Hearings: “It’s a difficult position to be in knowing how much is at risk.”

As National LGBT Health Awareness Week comes to a close, the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) has released Health Care Rights and Transgender People. The guide lays out the rights and protections transgender people have in health care, and the process for reporting instances of discrimination.

“It is our hope that trans people can use this resource to address the many health disparities we face,” said Mara Keisling, NCTE Executive Director. “The resource,” she said, “also makes it clear that transgender people benefit tremendously from important health care reforms like the Affordable Care Act.”

Early this week, Keisling weighed in on the arguments before the Supreme Court about the individual mandate, an essential part of the Affordable Care Act:

“It is unclear whether losing the individual mandate in the Supreme Court would put other parts of the law at risk including the protections transgender people have gained in health insurance programs and other aspects that address the health needs of trans people.”

Today, Keisling added, “The guide tells us exactly what is at stake for trans people with the justices now in their corners drafting their opinions. It’s a difficult position to be in knowing how much is at risk.”

Download the guide here.