Pride Month is a time of great importance for the LGBTQI+ community, celebrating resilience, visibility and progress towards equality. It is also a time to reflect on the challenges that exist, including disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. Discrimination, financial barriers, and increased health risks such as HIV, STDs, and mental health issues persist, highlighting the ongoing fight for equitable health care.
The Biden-Harris Administration recognizes these challenges and is committed to ensuring that all LGBTQI+ people have fair access to essential health care services. Many LGBTQI+ seniors with Medicare have shared their struggles to pay for prescription medicationsoften forced to make difficult decisions between life-saving medications and other necessities due to the skyrocketing costs of such medications.
President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which lowers prescription drug costs, marks a major step forward in easing these financial burdens. This new law is already lowering prescription drug costs, and by 2025, all Medicare Part D enrollees will see a Out-of-pocket limit of $2000 in drug costs, offering substantial savings for LGBTQI+ older adults who rely on expensive medications for conditions like cancer and heart disease.
The lower-cost prescription drug law passed by the President is a game-changer, especially for the LGBTQI+ community. Imagine paying only $35 a month for insulin – that’s huge! Many LGBTQI+ adults face higher rates of diabetes compared to others, so these savings are a lifesaver. Plus, it’s a step toward health equity by ensuring that everyone, regardless of who they love or how they identify, can afford the medications they need to stay healthy.
The President’s efforts to improve health outcomes for the LGBTQI+ community extend beyond financial assistance. Recent rules and guidance make clear that no one should experience discrimination in health care based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics. The Administration on Community Living has also designated LGBTQI+ and HIV+ older adults as a population of greatest social need under the Older Americans Act, ensuring targeted support for those who need it most.
As we celebrate Pride Month, it is essential to recognize the progress made in advancing the healthcare rights of LGBTQI+ people. President Biden’s initiatives not only fulfill promises, but reaffirm the administration’s steadfast commitment to inclusion and equality in healthcare. By consistently advocating and implementing policies that promote fair access to healthcare, we pave the way to a healthier, more inclusive society where all LGBTQI+ people can thrive.
