Equality Caucus Applauds Biden Admin’s Healthcare Nondiscrimination Rule

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, released the following statement after the Biden Administration released a final rule implementing the Affordable Care Act’s nondiscrimination provision (Section 1557):

“All people deserve to access healthcare without fear of discrimination,” said Rep. Mark Pocan, Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “This rule’s explicit nondiscrimination protections for our community will improve health outcomes and ensure countless LGBTQI+ people are not denied care just because of who they are. I thank President Biden and Secretary Becerra for their steadfast commitment to LGBTQI+ health equity and look forward to continuing our work together to improve access to care for all Americans, regardless of their identity.”

BACKGROUND

Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, age or disability in covered health programs. On April 26, 2024, the Biden Administration released a final rule that, among other provisions, clarifies that Section 1557’s prohibition on sex discrimination includes discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, sex characteristics (including intersex traits), and sex stereotypes.