FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 2, 2019
CONTACT: Kyle Murphy
kmurphy@aidsunited.org | 202-876-2820
AIDS United Statement Opposing HHS Final Rule Granting Health Care Providers License to Discriminate
Washington, D.C. — AIDS United is vehemently opposed to the final rule released by the Trump Administration today that rolls back protections from discrimination in health care for LGBTQ individuals, as well as other marginalized communities. The rule, disguised as “protecting statutory conscience rights” of health care providers, grants providers exemptions from anti-discrimination regulations based on a claim of religious or moral objections.
This rule is the latest in a series of attacks on health care in the United States and pose a direct threat to the health of millions of Americans – especially those in marginalized communities including LGBTQ people, people living with HIV, women, and youth. These moral or religious exemptions could also extend to the provision of HIV treatment, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and naloxone (the opioid overdose reversal drug).
AIDS United stands with our allies opposed to this rule and urges the administration to reverse course. Our government should be putting patients first and working to eliminate barriers to care if we are to successfully end the domestic HIV epidemic by 2030. This rule could not only undermine that effort, it would make it impossible.
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About AIDS United:
AIDS United’s mission is to end the HIV epidemic in the U.S. through strategic grant-making, capacity building, and policy. AIDS United works to ensure access to life-saving HIV care and prevention services and to advance sound HIV-related policy for U.S. populations and communities most impacted by the epidemic. To date, our strategic grant-making initiatives have directly funded more than $104 million to local communities and have leveraged more than $117 million in additional investments for programs that include, but are not limited to HIV prevention, access to care, capacity building, harm reduction and advocacy. www.aidsunited.org
