FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 14, 2025
Contact: Cathy Renna, Communications Director, [email protected], 917-757-6123
THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO ALLEN MORRIS, DIRECTOR OF POLICY, NATIONAL LGBTQ TASK FORCE:
“The health and well-being of all people are critically important, and this year underscores a pivotal moment as we navigate branches of government that appear less concerned about facts and data and more concerned about dismantling Federal protections. We are in a state of emergency.
With rising healthcare costs, increasing disparities in equitable healthcare access, and ongoing public health crisis, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) requires a leader who will prioritize our health over conspiracy theories. Mr. Kennedy’s approach to public health is not in the best interest of our communities, nor does he intend to eradicate critical issues to safeguard health and safety for us all.
We live in an America with glaring gaps in healthcare equity, substance abuse, and chronic disease management. Our communities are the most impacted by these inequities. While LGBTQ communities have made life-changing strides to eradicate the HIV epidemic across the world, we are witnessing the rescission of lifesaving federal programs like PEPFAR, attacks on healthcare for transgender children and youth, the defunding of the healthcare study for LGBTQ veterans, and the closing of the USAID department which will set our progress back DECADES.
We urge the new Secretary to prioritize health organizations and community leaders who represent the most impacted communities to develop effective strategies that address health disparities. We also implore the secretary to maintain the effective programs and regulations that are currently in place as they have been proven to save lives. The stakes are too high for us to accept a status quo that fails to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare for all Americans.
The National LGBTQ Task Force will monitor the actions of the Department closely and will hold them accountable to the principles of transparency, effectiveness and equity.
For more information go to www.thetaskforce.org
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