Equality Caucus Condemns Discriminatory Court Ruling on PrEP Medication & ACA Preventive Services

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus condemns today's discriminatory ruling in Braidwood Management v. Becerra that an Affordable Care Act requirement that employers provide coverage for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication violates the religious rights of employers. LGBTQ+ people have been disproportionately impacted by the HIV epidemic and PrEP is a critical tool in the fight against the disease.

"PrEP has been and continues to be a critical tool in preventing the spread of HIV. Requiring insurers and employers to offer health care plans that provide these life-saving drugs for free has been critical in our country's fight against HIV and AIDS," said Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01), Chair of the Equality Caucus. "Not only is it deeply concerning that a federal judge would allow bigotry and homophobia to win by upholding a claim under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act against this requirement, but this decision also stands in stark contrast to Congress' stated goals in passing this legislation. The Religious Freedom Restoration Act is meant to protect free exercise and religious minorities, especially the religious freedom of often persecuted peoples. It is not a tool to discriminate and deny critical medicine and medical treatment to employees. Today's ruling is a direct attack on the LGBTQ+ community. If this ruling stands, and especially if it is applied broadly, it will have a devastating impact on people's health and safety, especially members of the LGBTQ+ community."

Founded in 2008, the mission of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus is to promote equality for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The Caucus, which is led by the nine openly LGBTQ+ members of the House of Representatives, is strongly committed to achieving the full enjoyment of human rights for LGBTQ+ people in the U.S. and around the world.

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