Another reason to vote this November — the Affordable Care Act

Forces opposed to progress in the country are still trying to undo health care reform… even after the Supreme Court’s sign-off. This important legislation is already having a substantial impact on LGBT people and families, and will do even more when fully implemented in 2014…unless it’s repealed.

Without health care reform our country’s advanced health care system is off-limits to the poor, the sick and anyone deemed too costly to cover. With the Affordable Care Act, health care is moving to a system of care instead of a system for the rich and privileged.

Because of the reforms included in the Affordable Care Act:

• For the first time there are national protections based on sex that cover everyday people in the health system.
• LGBT health care needs are being better understood through LGBT -specific data and research.
• Insurance companies can’t deny health care coverage because of a pre-existing condition, meaning people with HIV or who have received gender transition-related care will still be able to get the health care coverage they need.
• Each state must have a Health Insurance Exchange, where individuals and families can buy affordable quality health care plans. By law, the exchanges are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Same-sex couples can search for health care plans that offer coverage for domestic partners through the Health Plan Finder tool at www.healthcare.gov.

As a country we know all too well that people of color and the poor are disproportionately affected by a lack of access to affordable, quality care and that LGBT people — particularly LGBT people of color — suffer from higher rates of inadequate, unaffordable health care.

A health care system in the richest country in the world should be accessible, available, and truly value the life of each individual. Without reform and the Affordable Care Act we will not be able to build a 21st Century system of care that upholds these values. Click here to visit QueertheVote.org to read more about this and other pressing issues facing the country this election year.

This November, remember the progress we have made, but also the threats to this progress that remain. We must continue moving forward towards a more fair, just and equal society for everyone.