The Biden administration has announced that it is reversing a Trump-era policy that restricted healthcare protections for transgender people.
Per NBC News, the move will prevent healthcare providers that receive federal funding from discriminating against Americans based on their gender identity or sexual orientation.
On Monday, May 10, Human Services Secretary (HSS) Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement:
"The Supreme Court has made clear that people have a right not to be discriminated against on the basis of sex and receive equal treatment under the law, no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation.
"That’s why today HHS announced it will act on related reports of discrimination. Fear of discrimination can lead individuals to forgo care, which can have serious negative health consequences.
"It is the position of the Department of Health and Human Services that everyone – including LGBTQ people - should be able to access health care, free from discrimination or interference, period."
Becerra also added: "There was a provision in the Affordable Care Act which said that and so now it's clear, there's no ambiguity, you cannot discriminate against people based on sexual orientation or gender identity."
In June 2020, the Trump administration finalized its rollback of healthcare protections of all people regardless of their gender identity.
Per NBC News, under Trump, HHS stated that it would recognize "sex discrimination according to the plain meaning of the word 'sex' as male or female and as determined by biology."
Soon after, the Supreme Court ruled that federal laws prohibit job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
The day before the new policy was supposed to take effect last summer, a federal judge blocked the former President's administration from enforcing it.
Dr. Rachel Levine, assistant secretary for health, who is the first openly transgender woman confirmed by the Senate to a federal post said, according to the outlet:
"The mission of our Department is to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans, no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation.
"All people need access to healthcare services to fix a broken bone, protect their heart health, and screen for cancer risk.
"No one should be discriminated against when seeking medical services because of who they are."
The new move by the Biden administration marks a return to healthcare protections that were implemented under Obama.
